And it Begins:Special Prosecutor To Investigate Trump And Russia

[SteelChip]

 

[Superman]

On a side note, Mueller is busy chasing a lead Micheal Flynn and his son had a $15 million arrangement with Erdogan in Turkey to kidnap and return Cleric Gulan from Pennsylvania.

Glad Mueller is on top of Trump's collusion.

I hope he gets Trump's lowest administration member to pay his unpaid parking tickets. I mean, the guy's butterfly net reaches all around the word.
and it's absolutely ridiculous.

 

[tapeANaspirin2it]

Indy, with all due respect, there's nothing he could do or not do that you wouldn't support.

Let me ask you this...I know it's Republicans in Congress who are standing in the way of passing his initiatives...but don't you think he shares the blame for that? He seems incapable of garnering public support for anything. Everything he touches become wildly unpopular. He never clearly articulates why we should support any of his initiatives beyond "It's a beautiful plan. It's very good. You'll love it." The left comes out and points out all of its flaws and he's incapable of rebutting them with anything halfway intelligent.

If you can't sway the public you won't sway Congress. He's not winning people over to his side, he's losing people. They can't pass something that 70% of the people in the country hate.

Why not? Over 70% didn’t want Obamacare and they rammed that through without a single republican vote.

 

[Superman]

I'm sure there's a reason behind this...


https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/09/obamacare-enrollments-are-way-up-in-trumps-first-sign-up-season.html


The rate of enrollment in Obamacare health insurance plans was sharply higher in the first week of sign-ups compared with last year, official data released Thursday show.

The data confirm earlier reports that there was a big upsurge in consumer demand for individual insurance plans on the first day of open enrollment, Nov. 1, the first season under the Obamacare-opposing Trump administration.

The number released Thursday suggests that consumer demand for Obamacare plans almost doubled over last year in the first days of enrollment. But it remains to be seen if that pace will continue.

A total of 601,462 people in the first four days of open enrollment selected a plan on HealthCare.gov, the federal Obamacare exchange that serves much of the United States, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A total of 464,140 customers renewed coverage, and 137,322 new consumers selected a plan on HealthCare.gov.

CMS did not release data for the first four days of open enrollment for last season for comparison with the new data.

However, a CMS release in November 2016 said that in the first two weeks of open enrollment for that month there were 1,008,218 plan selections on HealthCare.gov.

Those two weeks encompassed just 12 days of actual enrollment, given the way CMS measures sign-up periods.

That means that each four-day period last year in the first weeks of open enrollment saw about 336,000 sign-ups on average.

The first four days of sign-ups this year was 1.79 times as much as that tally.

Data released by CMS on Thursday and last November does not include enrollments on the dozen Obamacare marketplaces run by individual states and the District of Columbia.

California's exchange, the largest state-run Obamacare marketplace, said its enrollment business was about 25 percent higher on the first day of sign-ups this year compared with last year.

Maryland's exchange had 70 percent higher enrollment on the first day.

Lori Lodes, a former top CMS official, said the data released Thursday "is a great start to open enrollment and is further evidence that people want health insurance and that they're finding coverage they can afford."

"The administration has caused a lot of anxiety for people over the last year when it comes to health care but there's also been a more in-depth conversation about what Obamacare really is about," said Lodes, co-founder of Get America Covered, an enrollment advocacy group.

"So when most people logged onto HealthCare.gov they found plans that are more affordable than they expected."

Obamacare advocates like Lodes have feared that the Trump administration's hostility to the Affordable Care Act will lead to a marked decrease in the final enrollment tally relative to last year, particularly because of a sharp decrease in outreach budgets. There is also a much shorter sign-up window this year compared with last year in much of the country.

Open enrollment ends Dec. 15 in states served by HealthCare.gov.

Most other states have longer enrollment periods, but all will end by late January.

The ACA requires most Americans to have some form of health coverage during the year or pay a fine that can be as much as 2.5 percent of household income.

 

[Steeltime]

Nothing he is investigating - nothing - has **** from shinola to do with Russia and collusion. Instead, he is pushing around nobodies and people having nothing to do with Trump, or Russia, or collusion, or anything to do with anything.

The stuff he has gathered so far therefore is not part of a puzzle. Or if part of a puzzle, a completely different puzzle. A better gif describing what he has done so far:

 

[deljzc]

Well, the logic of Mueller is if you can pin people for lying under oath, it's easy to make them lie again to bury Trump and give you the answers you want to hear.

FBI 101....

 

[hamster]

Nothing he is investigating - nothing - has **** from shinola to do with Russia and collusion. Instead, he is pushing around nobodies and people having nothing to do with Trump, or Russia, or collusion, or anything to do with anything.

The stuff he has gathered so far therefore is not part of a puzzle. Or if part of a puzzle, a completely different puzzle. A better gif describing what he has done so far:

What his investigation is leading to is the corruption, and collusion, of the special lobbying groups. Why do you think Tony Podesta resigned? He is in Mueller's crosshairs This is an investigation I would be totally behind!

 

[Steeltime]

Well, the logic of Mueller is if you can pin people for lying under oath, it's easy to make them lie again to bury Trump and give you the answers you want to here.

FBI 101....

Yeah, I get that. However, after being assigned an investigation into Russian interference into the election, Mueller is spending his time on tax fraud and money laundering. What, the IRS is Russian?

I read the indictment. A lot of media reported that Manafort continued his Ukraine lobbying into 2016, so the "RUSSIA!!" angle mattered. However, the listing of money transfers from the offshore companies, the unreported income, etc. occurred between 2008 and 2014. The indictment has basically NOTHING - repeat, NOTHING - to do with any political campaign, apart from a former Ukranian president's political activities between 2010 and 2014.

Manafort is accused of designating a condominium as a family residence so that he could obtain more money on a loan, since lenders are squirrely about loaning on rental property as compared to primary residences. He is also accused of getting a construction loan and using some of that money for non-construction purposes.

Seriously, 15 ******* lawyers - all of whom I have been assured are geniuses, the best the government has to offer - have spent the better part of a year investigating the Russia-collusion-election allegations and came up with ...

Lying to banks to get a better loan and using funds on a construction loan for other purposes. Oh, and he is accused of lying to investigators about his activities.

Huh?? There is literally not one word - NOT A SYLLABLE - about activities beyond 2014, or the 2016 election, or Russia, or Trump, or anybody affiliated with Trump, or collusion, or any election beyond the 2010 Ukranian election.

The special investigator and its team of 15 of the greatest legal minds ever to walk the earth has cost tens of millions of dollars so far. We don't actually know the full costs, because there is no accounting for how much they are spending, but hey, they charged two guys with hiding income from taxes and getting better mortgages. What a ******* deal ... so where do we ask for our money back?

 

[Tibs]

Wait, this is CIA Director Mike Pompeo, the former Tea Partier nominated by Donald Trump himself?

CIA: Director 'stands by' Russian interference assessment
http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...tor-stands-by-russian-interference-assessment

The CIA on Saturday said its director, Mike Pompeo, "stands by" the intelligence community’s declassified report that concluded Russia ran an influence campaign aimed at helping President Trump win the White House in 2016.

"The director stands by and has always stood by the January 2017 intelligence community assessment entitled: 'Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Elections.' The intelligence assessment with regard to Russian election meddling has not changed,” a spokesperson for the agency said in a statement.

The statement follows President Trump's comments about Russian President Vladimir Putin's repeated denials that Moscow was involved in election interference, as well as a meeting between the two world leaders.The CIA did not comment on Trump's meeting in Vietnam with Putin.

“He said he didn't meddle. He said he didn't meddle. I asked him again. You can only ask so many times,” Trump told reporters Saturday.

“But I just asked him again, and he said he absolutely did not meddle in our election," he continued. "He did not do what they're saying he did.”

Trump and Putin spoke this weekend in Vietnam during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

 

[deljzc]

Wait, this is CIA Director Mike Pompeo, the former Tea Partier nominated by Donald Trump himself?

CIA: Director 'stands by' Russian interference assessment
http://thehill.com/homenews/adminis...tor-stands-by-russian-interference-assessment

Since when does anyone here say Russia didn't try to tamper with our election? We are arguing over whether the Trump campaign COLLUDED to make it worse OR debated the overall effectiveness of Russia's attempt (i.e. how much it really mattered).

What that CIA said is complete lawyer talk. Russia could have bought ONE add on facebook and he would "technically" be correct that Russia "meddled" in our election.

Again... for the 100th time. So what? We have evidence Russia has been meddling for decades. We have evidence the U.S. meddles in other countries elections as well. This is CYBER WARFARE. It is happening 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in every economic power around the globe. Europe is doing it. China is doing it. Japan is doing it.

Welcome to the world of the internet.

How much do you want to trample our 1st Amendment rights to stop it Tibs? You want a "man" at Facebook to decide what you can and can't read? That's your solution? More government censorship because the masses are too stupid to know fact form fiction? You and I both know where that leads to when the government decides to "protect" the citizens from themselves.

And you better damn well understand I'm going to fight against that for the rest of my life.

 

[Tibs]

Trump humiliated by Putin after showering the dictator with praise
https://shareblue.com/trump-humiliated-by-putin-after-showering-the-dictator-with-praise/

Trump said he believes what Vladimir Putin told him this weekend about Russia's election interference. But Putin says that conversation never happened.

Donald Trump said Saturday that he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin this weekend and believes him when he says the Kremlin didn’t interfere in the 2016 presidential election.

But according to Putin, that conversation never even took place.

Trump made the comments after an unscheduled meeting with Putin on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Vietnam this weekend.

Taking Putin’s word over the collective assessment of the entire U.S. intelligence community, Trump called the investigation into Russian inference a “Democratic hit job” and said he “really believe” Putin’s denials regarding election interference.

“[Putin] said he absolutely did not meddle in our election. He did not do what they are saying he did,” Trump told reporters, according to NBC News.

Trump said Putin repeatedly denied that Russia interfered in the U.S. democratic process.

“And I really believe that when he tells me that, he means it,” Trump said.

After letting Trump go on camera and recite pro-Russia talking points, the Kremlin released their own statement saying the conversation about the 2016 election never even took place.

Since Trump ditched the press for his covert meeting with Putin, we have no contemporaneous account of what they discussed.

Putin knows this, and he’s using it to his advantage.

After Trump defended Putin’s word and denigrated the U.S. intelligence community, Putin humiliated Trump by denying that he ever spoke those words.

This is not the first time Putin has pulled one over on Trump.

Over the summer, the two men held a secret meeting in Hamburg, Germany, after which Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters that Trump had accepted Putin’s denials about election interference. Trump administration officials said the account was not accurate, but Lavrov had already beaten them to the punch.

As we saw this weekend, Trump still hasn’t learned his lesson — and Putin couldn’t be happier about it.

 

[Tibs]

Since when does anyone here say Russia didn't try to tamper with our election? We are arguing over whether the Trump campaign COLLUDED to make it worse OR debated the overall effectiveness of Russia's attempt (i.e. how much it really mattered). What that CIA said is complete lawyer talk. Russia could have bought ONE add on facebook and he would "technically" be correct that Russia "meddled" in our election.

You obviously haven't read the January 2017 intelligence community assessment entitled: 'Assessing Russian Activities and Intentions in Recent U.S. Elections.'

 

[Spike]

Shredders going 24-7


Podesta Group on the verge of shuttering amid ties to Mueller probe

One of Washington's most prominent lobbying firms is on the verge of shuttering after becoming ensnared by special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.

Kimberley Fritts, the chief executive of the Podesta Group, told employees during a Thursday staff meeting that the firm would cease to exist at the end of the year, according to two sources. Employees were asked to clear out their desks and were told they may not be paid beyond November 15, multiple sources said.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/11/politics/podesta-group-mueller-investigation/index.html

 

[Superman]

Tibs - do you ever wonder if Russia could have been playing both sides?
we can CLEARLY see the Russian influence on the losing side of the last POTUS election with all of the entanglements there.
however, we have nothing but speculation about Trump's ties to Russia.

but, let's go ahead and say that, yes, Russia did have ties to Trump's campaign.

would you say that Russia was being proactive and smart in playing both sides?

If Trump had lost, would you be saying that Trump is whining about the election results if he requested a special counsel to review all this?

 

[jitter77]

Tibs - do you ever wonder if Russia could have been playing both sides?
we can CLEARLY see the Russian influence on the losing side of the last POTUS election with all of the entanglements there.
however, we have nothing but speculation about Trump's ties to Russia.

but, let's go ahead and say that, yes, Russia did have ties to Trump's campaign.

would you say that Russia was being proactive and smart in playing both sides?

If Trump had lost, would you be saying that Trump is whining about the election results if he requested a special counsel to review all this?

Im sure Russia is playing both sides. Putin is playing the USA like a fiddle and im sure gets his kicks out of it. The sad part is we are dumb enough to fall for it

 

[deljzc]

Im sure Russia is playing both sides. Putin is playing the USA like a fiddle and im sure gets his kicks out of it. The sad part is we are dumb enough to fall for it

Who is "we"?

Who is "dumb" exactly? The American public? Is that your issue now? And who decides that exactly? You? Someone at Google? Facebook? In Washington?

I love the left's argument that it is perfectly fine if OUR media plays both sides, influences elections, picks winners/losers, et. al. But boy, if Russia does it, they are the big, bad, enemy and the American people need to be protected from themselves and we need to shut down freedom of speech in the process. Sounds like another round of the Patriot Act coming right around the corner, doesn't it to you guys?

God forbid the cabal of Washington elite and their media friends don't have control of us like they used to. And someone ELSE influenced the American public. Only WE can influence the American public like that. We better do something about this before the next election cycle.

I will tell you and every democrat here. I did NOT vote for Trump because of some story I saw on Facebook. You can convince yourself all you want that that's why he won but you will be wrong.

 

[Steeltime]

I will tell you and every democrat here. I did NOT vote for Trump because of some story I saw on Facebook.

Well, duh, you voted for Trump because you are a racist. Or deplorable. Or a misogynist. Or hate Mexicans, particularly Mexican women. Or all of the above.

 

[jitter77]

My point was that russia/putin accomplished his goal which is to create chaos and make America look like a laughingstock.

You have the president of the USA saying he believes Putin one day, then the next day he says he doesn't. He is discrediting the whole US intelligence agency. Then you have the media who can't stop talking about the whole thing. Also some Americans believe that Russia had caused Trump to win, but Russia didn't vote....

The we in my post would be Trump / politicians, the media, and some of the general public.

 

[DBS1970]

"Hey Vlad, how am I doing?"
"Excellent job thus far Mr. President, beyond my wildest dreams."
"Is that good or bad Vlad?"
"Very, very good Donald. Now we must find a way to get rid of Mueller, we cannot let him sabotage our great friendship"
"I'm on it Vlad, don't you worry. I would never let anyone get between us."

I wish you socialists would make up your minds. You want the President to be cordial to nuclear armed countries, as in the case of the NORKs where you want him to placate Kim. But in the case of Russia and Putin you want him to antagonize and seek worse relations. Here is a whack with a clue-by-four leftist shitbags, Russia has as many nukes as we do and unlike the NORKs who can only hit Hawaii and the far western edge of Alaska, the Russians can hit every city and town of any size in the USA twice. So its a good thing that the leader of our country and the leader of Russia have a rapport. It doesn't mean they conspired to steal the election from you or that President Trump is a traitor it means that he is smart enough to know where to seek diplomatic ties.

 

[IndySteel]

I wish you socialists would make up your minds. You want the President to be cordial to nuclear armed countries, as in the case of the NORKs where you want him to placate Kim. But in the case of Russia and Putin you want him to antagonize and seek worse relations. Here is a whack with a clue-by-four leftist shitbags, Russia has as many nukes as we do and unlike the NORKs who can only hit Hawaii and the far western edge of Alaska, the Russians can hit every city and town of any size in the USA twice. So its a good thing that the leader of our country and the leader of Russia have a rapport. It doesn't mean they conspired to steal the election from you or that President Trump is a traitor it means that he is smart enough to know where to seek diplomatic ties.

Plus we will need his help when it’s time to destroy China.

 

[Steelr4evr]

I wish you socialists would make up your minds. You want the President to be cordial to nuclear armed countries, as in the case of the NORKs where you want him to placate Kim. But in the case of Russia and Putin you want him to antagonize and seek worse relations. Here is a whack with a clue-by-four leftist shitbags, Russia has as many nukes as we do and unlike the NORKs who can only hit Hawaii and the far western edge of Alaska, the Russians can hit every city and town of any size in the USA twice. So its a good thing that the leader of our country and the leader of Russia have a rapport. It doesn't mean they conspired to steal the election from you or that President Trump is a traitor it means that he is smart enough to know where to seek diplomatic ties.

I don't even pay them ant mind. And I certainly could give two ***** what some Hungarian has to say about our foreign relations.

 

[deljzc]

The real reason Washington and the main stream media are so worried about Russia influencing our elections...

 

[Spike]

BREAKING NEWS ALERT!

Chinese Collusion!


"Donald The Strong" find friends in China

BEIJING — They call him “Donald the Strong.” They heap praise on his family. They fawn over his rapid-fire tweets. They have even created an online fan club.

They refer to him as “Uncle Trump,” “Grand Commander” and “Donald the Strong.” After Mr. Trump’s visit to the Forbidden City on Wednesday with President Xi Jinping, one fan wrote on social media, “Long live Emperor Trump!”

Mr. Trump’s Chinese fans praise his irrepressible style, his skill as an entertainer and his willingness to say what he thinks. Many also like the fact that he seems less inhibited than previous American presidents about recognizing China as a superpower and as an equal on the global stage.

.“He’s true to himself,” said Dai Xiang, a resident of the eastern province of Jiangsu who belongs to an online group of more than 23,000 people that exchanges news and commentary about Mr. Trump. “He’s real, unlike other politicians.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/09/world/asia/trump-china-fans.html

 

[Confluence]

My point was that russia/putin accomplished his goal which is to create chaos and make America look like a laughingstock.

You have the president of the USA saying he believes Putin one day, then the next day he says he doesn't. He is discrediting the whole US intelligence agency. Then you have the media who can't stop talking about the whole thing. Also some Americans believe that Russia had caused Trump to win, but Russia didn't vote....

The we in my post would be Trump / politicians, the media, and some of the general public.

Jitter,

Americans concerned about being the globe's laughingstock are at least 25 years late.
Nixon/Ford/Carter?
Slick Willy/Dubya/Bomma?

Are you seriously concerned about American political leadership just NOW?

That would make you, those like you, and those that were like you over the past two generations the real problem.
You all stood by and did jackshit while the entire world has openly mocked American leaders from both parties.

Trump, for better or worse, is holding up America as Great. Many around the world, myself included, welcome this clear leadership, even if i don't like the way Trump presents it.

Because of his presentation, and anti-media ( because of them, not him) stance, the sheep like you and others in this thread are disturbed. You've got a new doggie changing the direction of your sleepy herd and you just aren't comfortable having to think, just a little bit, for yourselves.

Clinton was an affable mutt, humping everything in sight, Bush was a lackadaisical bassett hound, easygoing but slow, Obama was a preening poodle, eager for acceptance as a real dog, and now you have a yapping border collie, eager to bark when the herd needs direction.

You should just elevate your thinking about your actual direction; stop bitching because you just dont like the sound of the new music.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Steeler Nation mobile app

 

[Steelr4evr]

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.