Sunday, June 17, 2018
Trump, Fox News, and Twitter have created a dangerous conspiracy theory loop
https://www.vox.com/world/2018/6/6/17433876/trump-spygate-fox-twitter
"Since the president watches Fox, this risks generating a profoundly vicious cycle. Fox picks up on some random internet rumor, the president picks it up from Fox, and then Fox and other right-wing outlets leap to defend what the president tweeted, which only reinforces Trump’s sense that he’s right."
"Since the president watches Fox, this risks generating a profoundly vicious cycle. Fox picks up on some random internet rumor, the president picks it up from Fox, and then Fox and other right-wing outlets leap to defend what the president tweeted, which only reinforces Trump’s sense that he’s right."
Fox News Functionally Subsidizing White House Communications
Fox News Functionally Subsidizing White House Communications:
"Fox continues to advance pro-Trump propaganda—like that fake-news story about the Eagles."
"Fox continues to advance pro-Trump propaganda—like that fake-news story about the Eagles."
Trump says EPA is doing ‘really, really well’ as scandals continue to mount around Scott Pruitt
https://thinkprogress.org/pruitt-scandals-trump-fema-f1746162d6ff/
"Only a few days earlier, on Saturday, the New York Times reported that Pruitt attended a December University of Kentucky basketball game as a guest of coal baron Joseph W. Craft III. A day prior, emails obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit by the Sierra Club revealed that the EPA administrator had spent $3,230 at a Washington, D.C.-based jewelry store using agency funds. Of that, $1,560 was spent on 12 fountain pens — approximately $130 per pen. Pruitt also appointed Steven D. Cook, a former chemical industry lawyer linked to at least 36 Superfund pollution sites, as head of the EPA’s Superfund Task Force last week. That announcement came shortly before the EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) voted to review a number of regulatory rollbacks instigated under Pruitt, including efforts to gut tailpipe emission restrictions. The official is also under ongoing criticism for barring reporters from EPA meetings, while favoring right-wing media like the Daily Caller and Sinclair Broadcast Group stations. The EPA administrator is already under fire for a number of prior decisions, including a sweetheart condo deal arranged with the wife of an energy lobbyist. The lobbyist, J. Steven Hart, had official business before the EPA during the time of the deal and attempted to recommend potential candidates for positions with the SAB during that same timeframe. Pruitt has also faced criticism for staggering 24-hour security costs and the installation of a $43,000 soundproof phone booth in his office, which a federal investigation has already deemed a violation of the law. The EPA head overhauled the agency’s advisory boards last fall, sparking legal action from environmental advocates. Pruitt has moreover relied on industry connections and lobbyists to help arrange expensive travel to destinations both domestic and international."
"Only a few days earlier, on Saturday, the New York Times reported that Pruitt attended a December University of Kentucky basketball game as a guest of coal baron Joseph W. Craft III. A day prior, emails obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit by the Sierra Club revealed that the EPA administrator had spent $3,230 at a Washington, D.C.-based jewelry store using agency funds. Of that, $1,560 was spent on 12 fountain pens — approximately $130 per pen. Pruitt also appointed Steven D. Cook, a former chemical industry lawyer linked to at least 36 Superfund pollution sites, as head of the EPA’s Superfund Task Force last week. That announcement came shortly before the EPA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB) voted to review a number of regulatory rollbacks instigated under Pruitt, including efforts to gut tailpipe emission restrictions. The official is also under ongoing criticism for barring reporters from EPA meetings, while favoring right-wing media like the Daily Caller and Sinclair Broadcast Group stations. The EPA administrator is already under fire for a number of prior decisions, including a sweetheart condo deal arranged with the wife of an energy lobbyist. The lobbyist, J. Steven Hart, had official business before the EPA during the time of the deal and attempted to recommend potential candidates for positions with the SAB during that same timeframe. Pruitt has also faced criticism for staggering 24-hour security costs and the installation of a $43,000 soundproof phone booth in his office, which a federal investigation has already deemed a violation of the law. The EPA head overhauled the agency’s advisory boards last fall, sparking legal action from environmental advocates. Pruitt has moreover relied on industry connections and lobbyists to help arrange expensive travel to destinations both domestic and international."
Internal emails reveal that the FCC lied and made up DDOS 'attack' as propaganda against John Oliver
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/5/1769610/-Internal-emails-reveal-that-the-FCC-lied-and-made-up-DDOS-attack-as-propaganda-against-John-Oliver
"This past May, as Ajit Pai and the Republican-led FCC promised to roll back any and all consumer protections afforded to Americans via net neutrality, Oliver told his audience once again to flood the FCC website with their support for our protections. The site crashed but this time the FCC began to say that no, the overwhelming amount of online support for keeping net neutrality protections in place was not the cause, a massive DDOS attack on their servers was the reason. A malicious attack from some cyber-liberal bad actor! Of course, those claims were backed up by no evidence and a refusal to provide evidence or even investigate their own claims. Gizmodo has been through a batch of new internal emails released as a result of their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Guess what? About those claims FCC officials made? Yes, exactly."
"This past May, as Ajit Pai and the Republican-led FCC promised to roll back any and all consumer protections afforded to Americans via net neutrality, Oliver told his audience once again to flood the FCC website with their support for our protections. The site crashed but this time the FCC began to say that no, the overwhelming amount of online support for keeping net neutrality protections in place was not the cause, a massive DDOS attack on their servers was the reason. A malicious attack from some cyber-liberal bad actor! Of course, those claims were backed up by no evidence and a refusal to provide evidence or even investigate their own claims. Gizmodo has been through a batch of new internal emails released as a result of their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Guess what? About those claims FCC officials made? Yes, exactly."
Katy Tur Blows Up Trump’s 4 Point Strategy For Surviving The Russia Investigation
https://www.politicususa.com/2018/06/04/katy-tur-blows-up-trumps-4-point-strategy-for-surviving-the-russia-investigation.html
"Trump is trying to confuse enough people, or create just enough doubt to keep himself in office. It is a strategy that would have had zero chance of success in another era, but Trump has Fox News on his side, and they are endlessly pumping out propaganda to 2-3 million diehard Trump supporters. The Trump strategy is about creating distraction, confusion, and doubt."
"Trump is trying to confuse enough people, or create just enough doubt to keep himself in office. It is a strategy that would have had zero chance of success in another era, but Trump has Fox News on his side, and they are endlessly pumping out propaganda to 2-3 million diehard Trump supporters. The Trump strategy is about creating distraction, confusion, and doubt."
An Admission of Obstruction
https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/06/president-trump-lawyers-appear-admit-obstructed-justice.html
"The letter’s admission to obstruction isn’t the first publicly documented evidence of obstruction. First, President Trump told both Russian officials and Lester Holt on NBC that he fired Comey because of Russia. Second, Comey testified that Trump asked him to “let go” of Flynn; later, a Trump tweet indicated he knew at that time that Flynn had committed crimes. Now we may have learned about a third admission this weekend: That the president tampered with witnesses in violation of obstruction statutes. With this letter’s admission added to the public evidence, we’re approaching a Watergate-level smoking gun on obstruction. Remember that there was never proof Nixon ordered the break-in. There was only proof of obstruction and interference with the investigation."
"The letter’s admission to obstruction isn’t the first publicly documented evidence of obstruction. First, President Trump told both Russian officials and Lester Holt on NBC that he fired Comey because of Russia. Second, Comey testified that Trump asked him to “let go” of Flynn; later, a Trump tweet indicated he knew at that time that Flynn had committed crimes. Now we may have learned about a third admission this weekend: That the president tampered with witnesses in violation of obstruction statutes. With this letter’s admission added to the public evidence, we’re approaching a Watergate-level smoking gun on obstruction. Remember that there was never proof Nixon ordered the break-in. There was only proof of obstruction and interference with the investigation."
Why the Bombshell Trump Letter Could Be a Big Problem for Donald Trump Jr.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/06/bombshell-letter-trump-jr-congress-testimony/
"The letter is a brazen declaration of executive power, and legal experts immediately challenged its premises and assertions. The missive also raised a possible problem for Donald Trump Jr.: it suggested he had not told Congress the whole truth—and might have even misled the body—regarding the cover story he put out when it was revealed that during the campaign he, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort had met with a Russian emissary after being told she would share with them dirt on Hillary Clinton, as part of a Kremlin operation to help Trump."
"The letter is a brazen declaration of executive power, and legal experts immediately challenged its premises and assertions. The missive also raised a possible problem for Donald Trump Jr.: it suggested he had not told Congress the whole truth—and might have even misled the body—regarding the cover story he put out when it was revealed that during the campaign he, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort had met with a Russian emissary after being told she would share with them dirt on Hillary Clinton, as part of a Kremlin operation to help Trump."
Trump Lawyers Reveal He ‘Dictated’ Misleading Statement On Son’s Russian Meeting
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-letter-admits-he-dictated-misleading-statement-on-sons-meeting-with-russian_us_5b135a6ee4b0d5e89e2048dd
"The president’s letter on the meeting could cause him problems if it’s seen as an attempt to obstruct Mueller’s investigation into possible Russia collusion with his campaign. It could also cause problems for Trump’s son, who testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last September that he didn’t have a clear idea who was responsible for the misleading statement about the meeting being focused on the adoption issue. Trump’s authorship of the problematic response — confirmed for the first time by his own attorneys — was an intriguing aside in the letter in which the key point was that he is essentially legally untouchable because he is the president."
"The president’s letter on the meeting could cause him problems if it’s seen as an attempt to obstruct Mueller’s investigation into possible Russia collusion with his campaign. It could also cause problems for Trump’s son, who testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee last September that he didn’t have a clear idea who was responsible for the misleading statement about the meeting being focused on the adoption issue. Trump’s authorship of the problematic response — confirmed for the first time by his own attorneys — was an intriguing aside in the letter in which the key point was that he is essentially legally untouchable because he is the president."
Malcolm Nance Cuts Through The Noise: Trump ‘Does Not Believe’ In U.S. Democracy
https://www.politicususa.com/2018/06/02/nance-cuts-through-trump-democracy.html
"Trump is trying to build an autocracy"
"Trump is trying to build an autocracy"
President Trump has made 3,251 false or misleading claims in 497 days
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2018/06/01/president-trump-has-made-3251-false-or-misleading-claims-in-497-days/?utm_term=.98fe3d71945f
"In the 497 days since he took the oath of office, President Trump has made 3,251 false or misleading claims"
"In the 497 days since he took the oath of office, President Trump has made 3,251 false or misleading claims"
Trump Is Probing the Constitution for Weaknesses, and Finding Them
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/06/trump-tariffs-pardons-probing-constitution-for-weaknesses.html
"Trump has imposed tariffs on America’s allies, not its enemies. Indeed, Canada, one of the tariff targets, is part of the Department of Defense’s industrial base. Meanwhile, Trump has unilaterally relaxed trade sanctions on ZTE, a Chinese telecommunications firm that poses a wide array of serious national security risks. Why is Trump bailing out a dangerous Chinese firm that has violated American law? Well, he made his strange decision shortly after China announced a $500 investment in a theme park right next to a Trump-owned property in Indonesia, which will put money directly in Trump’s pocket."
"Trump has imposed tariffs on America’s allies, not its enemies. Indeed, Canada, one of the tariff targets, is part of the Department of Defense’s industrial base. Meanwhile, Trump has unilaterally relaxed trade sanctions on ZTE, a Chinese telecommunications firm that poses a wide array of serious national security risks. Why is Trump bailing out a dangerous Chinese firm that has violated American law? Well, he made his strange decision shortly after China announced a $500 investment in a theme park right next to a Trump-owned property in Indonesia, which will put money directly in Trump’s pocket."
Amid Signs of 'Cronyism, Nepotism, and Conflicts of Interest,' Watchdog Demands Probe of Trump-ZTE Dealings
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/05/31/amid-signs-cronyism-nepotism-and-conflicts-interest-watchdog-demands-probe-trump-zte
"Highlighting the appearance of "cronyism, nepotism, abuses of power, and conflicts of interest" in U.S. President Donald Trump's recent negotiations to rescue the failing Chinese telecom giant ZTE after Beijing dumped $500 million into a major Trump development project in Indonesia, the watchdog group Common Cause sent a letter (pdf) to two key congressional committees on Thursday calling for a probe into whether Trump is "abusing his office to enrich his family"."
"Highlighting the appearance of "cronyism, nepotism, abuses of power, and conflicts of interest" in U.S. President Donald Trump's recent negotiations to rescue the failing Chinese telecom giant ZTE after Beijing dumped $500 million into a major Trump development project in Indonesia, the watchdog group Common Cause sent a letter (pdf) to two key congressional committees on Thursday calling for a probe into whether Trump is "abusing his office to enrich his family"."
White House official joins the conservative, pro-Trump company taking over local news
https://thinkprogress.org/sinclair-hires-trump-staffer-831c69f57797/
"Sinclair’s work as a propaganda arm for Trumpism is more sinister than anything the old “Trump TV” network predictions envisioned. Sinclair’s content arrives swaddled in the credibility of familiar faces and brands. The company has bought up local news operations around the country for years. Four of every 10 Americans lives in a place served by a Sinclair-owned TV news outfit. That share would jump to seven in 10 if the Federal Communications Commission signs off on Sinclair’s attempted purchase of the Tribune Company"
"Sinclair’s work as a propaganda arm for Trumpism is more sinister than anything the old “Trump TV” network predictions envisioned. Sinclair’s content arrives swaddled in the credibility of familiar faces and brands. The company has bought up local news operations around the country for years. Four of every 10 Americans lives in a place served by a Sinclair-owned TV news outfit. That share would jump to seven in 10 if the Federal Communications Commission signs off on Sinclair’s attempted purchase of the Tribune Company"
GOP Rep. Trey Gowdy Contradicts Trump On ‘Informant’ Claim
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trey-gowdy-informant-spy_us_5b0dfffde4b0802d69cf6245
"Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said the FBI acted appropriately when it used an informant to gather information about Donald Trump campaign advisers who allegedly had suspicious contacts linked to Russia prior to the 2016 election."
"Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), the chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said the FBI acted appropriately when it used an informant to gather information about Donald Trump campaign advisers who allegedly had suspicious contacts linked to Russia prior to the 2016 election."
The Trump Crime Family's Grifts are Right in Front of Our Noses @alternet
The Trump Crime Family's Grifts are Right in Front of Our Noses @alternet:
"This is happening right in front of our noses, but Trump knows that he enjoys immunity by Congressional majority and can get away with anything as long as Republicans control the other branches of government."
"This is happening right in front of our noses, but Trump knows that he enjoys immunity by Congressional majority and can get away with anything as long as Republicans control the other branches of government."
Donald Trump — The Art Of The Racketeer
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/23/1766489/-Donald-Trump-The-Art-Of-The-Racketeer
"Donald Trump is basically a racketeer, specializing in the crimes of extortion, bribery, money laundering, and now obstruction of justice. The people who knew this best, far more than the American people and press, were the corrupt foreign governments and oligarchs with whom Trump had engaged in his racket over the last few decades, whether through extortion, bribery, or money laundering. And these foreign entities knew better than anyone how to deal with Trump. The most advantageous position to be in with Trump is to have enough leverage over him so he can not extort you, because that is his default option. Conversely, the least advantageous position is where Trump has all the leverage and can extort you. Bribery can strengthen or weaken your position depending on the situation, but, even then, bribery will only get you so far without leverage as bribery brings no loyalty from Trump. If you are not the law, the best way to fight back against a racketeer is to become a racketeer yourself. It seems clear, based on Trump’s refusal to ever criticize Putin, that the Russians had plenty of leverage over Trump and were determined to use it. In addition, the Russians had been laundering money with Trump for over a decade. And they knew he could be bought. That leverage, combined with the Russian campaign to discredit Hillary, was designed to get the sanctions lifted in return for Trump becoming President. The Russians also knew that they could enhance their position with Trump with additional bribery, holding out the possibility of that chimerical Trump Tower in Moscow. The Russians were actually in prime position with Trump, apparently having enormous leverage over him and being able to bribe him with something he desperately wanted. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were in a somewhat similar position to the Russians but probably did not have the same level of leverage over Trump that the Russians did. They did have years of history dealing with Trump and knew he could be influenced by their money."
"Donald Trump is basically a racketeer, specializing in the crimes of extortion, bribery, money laundering, and now obstruction of justice. The people who knew this best, far more than the American people and press, were the corrupt foreign governments and oligarchs with whom Trump had engaged in his racket over the last few decades, whether through extortion, bribery, or money laundering. And these foreign entities knew better than anyone how to deal with Trump. The most advantageous position to be in with Trump is to have enough leverage over him so he can not extort you, because that is his default option. Conversely, the least advantageous position is where Trump has all the leverage and can extort you. Bribery can strengthen or weaken your position depending on the situation, but, even then, bribery will only get you so far without leverage as bribery brings no loyalty from Trump. If you are not the law, the best way to fight back against a racketeer is to become a racketeer yourself. It seems clear, based on Trump’s refusal to ever criticize Putin, that the Russians had plenty of leverage over Trump and were determined to use it. In addition, the Russians had been laundering money with Trump for over a decade. And they knew he could be bought. That leverage, combined with the Russian campaign to discredit Hillary, was designed to get the sanctions lifted in return for Trump becoming President. The Russians also knew that they could enhance their position with Trump with additional bribery, holding out the possibility of that chimerical Trump Tower in Moscow. The Russians were actually in prime position with Trump, apparently having enormous leverage over him and being able to bribe him with something he desperately wanted. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were in a somewhat similar position to the Russians but probably did not have the same level of leverage over Trump that the Russians did. They did have years of history dealing with Trump and knew he could be influenced by their money."
Russia’s Campaign to Help Trump Win Was Just the Start
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/05/russia-trump-election-attacks-twitter-facebook-clint-watts/
"Former FBI special agent Clint Watts was tracking ISIS terrorists and their propaganda on Twitter in 2014 when he first encountered a different kind of troll. These accounts weren’t trying to recruit fighters for jihad. They were promoting an “Alaska Back to Russia” petition on WhiteHouse. gov, pushing pro-Kremlin foreign policy views, and drumming up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Watching this troll army inundate social media into 2015 and 2016—including rising attacks on Hillary Clinton and promotion of Donald Trump for president—Watts realized a new information war was underway. As he tracked false news stories from Russian state media that were repeated by the Trump campaign, he was surprised to see that Kremlin-linked disinformation was sometimes even driving the campaign’s own narrative. Two days before Election Day, Watts and his fellow cybersecurity analysts JM Berger and Andrew Weisburd warned that the Kremlin wasn’t just backing Trump but was seeking “to produce a divided electorate and a president with no clear mandate to govern. The ultimate objective is to diminish and tarnish American democracy.” In the aftermath, as lawmakers struggled to contend with Russia’s role, the Senate Intelligence Committee relied on Watts’ expertise to help it understand the attack across social media networks."
"Former FBI special agent Clint Watts was tracking ISIS terrorists and their propaganda on Twitter in 2014 when he first encountered a different kind of troll. These accounts weren’t trying to recruit fighters for jihad. They were promoting an “Alaska Back to Russia” petition on WhiteHouse. gov, pushing pro-Kremlin foreign policy views, and drumming up support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Watching this troll army inundate social media into 2015 and 2016—including rising attacks on Hillary Clinton and promotion of Donald Trump for president—Watts realized a new information war was underway. As he tracked false news stories from Russian state media that were repeated by the Trump campaign, he was surprised to see that Kremlin-linked disinformation was sometimes even driving the campaign’s own narrative. Two days before Election Day, Watts and his fellow cybersecurity analysts JM Berger and Andrew Weisburd warned that the Kremlin wasn’t just backing Trump but was seeking “to produce a divided electorate and a president with no clear mandate to govern. The ultimate objective is to diminish and tarnish American democracy.” In the aftermath, as lawmakers struggled to contend with Russia’s role, the Senate Intelligence Committee relied on Watts’ expertise to help it understand the attack across social media networks."
Exclusive: U.S. Government Can’t Get Controversial Kaspersky Lab Software Off Its Networks
https://www.thedailybeast.com/exclusive-us-government-cant-get-controversial-kaspersky-lab-software-off-its-networks?ref=home
"The law says American agencies must eliminate the use of Kaspersky Lab software by October. U.S. officials say that’s impossible—it’s embedded too deep in our infrastructure."
"The law says American agencies must eliminate the use of Kaspersky Lab software by October. U.S. officials say that’s impossible—it’s embedded too deep in our infrastructure."
Trump appointee who oversees election security is surprised to learn that Russia meddled for Trump
https://thinkprogress.org/kirstjen-nielsen-intelligence-community-assessment-russia-meddling-trump-65c34ba59616/
"Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen revealed on Tuesday she’s unfamiliar with the intelligence community’s consensus finding that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election on behalf of President Trump — a finding that was made public in an assessment released 16 months ago."
"Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen revealed on Tuesday she’s unfamiliar with the intelligence community’s consensus finding that Russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election on behalf of President Trump — a finding that was made public in an assessment released 16 months ago."
Real Corruption: Mick “Pay and We’ll Talk” Mulvaney
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/05/22/real-corruption-mick-pay-and-well-talk-mulvaney
"It’s not just that Mick Mulvaney has no scruples; he has no shame. It has become commonplace to see Trump administration officials, up to and including the president, abuse public resources for personal gain and comfort. But private planes, $31,000 dining room sets, and other lavish expenditures at public expense are the petty rewards of narcissists. The corruption that matters most is the kind that hurts millions of Americans to enrich the tiny class of billionaires that is this regime’s true constituency. When it comes to this kind of deep corruption, which perverts government’s role for the benefit of the privileged few, Mick Mulvaney is a master of the art. In fact, he’s made it his ideology. Mulvaney is Trump’s Budget Director. He is also doing double-duty as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency created under President Obama to protectconsumers from being ripped off by predatory and criminally-inclined banks. As a member of Congress, Mulvaney once called the agency he now leads “sick, sad,” and a “joke.” Even if Mulvaney uses his position at the CFPB to serve banks, it’ll still cost them. He pretty much said so, in a speech he recently gave to the American Bankers Association. “We had a hierarchy in my office in Congress,” Mulvaney told an audience of 1,300 bankers and loan company executives. “If you’re a lobbyist who never gave us money, I didn’t talk to you. If you’re a lobbyist who gave us money, I might talk to you.” That’s a vision of play-for-play government, and it’s a vision Mulvaney shares with Trump, his party, and other members of his administration."
"It’s not just that Mick Mulvaney has no scruples; he has no shame. It has become commonplace to see Trump administration officials, up to and including the president, abuse public resources for personal gain and comfort. But private planes, $31,000 dining room sets, and other lavish expenditures at public expense are the petty rewards of narcissists. The corruption that matters most is the kind that hurts millions of Americans to enrich the tiny class of billionaires that is this regime’s true constituency. When it comes to this kind of deep corruption, which perverts government’s role for the benefit of the privileged few, Mick Mulvaney is a master of the art. In fact, he’s made it his ideology. Mulvaney is Trump’s Budget Director. He is also doing double-duty as head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the agency created under President Obama to protectconsumers from being ripped off by predatory and criminally-inclined banks. As a member of Congress, Mulvaney once called the agency he now leads “sick, sad,” and a “joke.” Even if Mulvaney uses his position at the CFPB to serve banks, it’ll still cost them. He pretty much said so, in a speech he recently gave to the American Bankers Association. “We had a hierarchy in my office in Congress,” Mulvaney told an audience of 1,300 bankers and loan company executives. “If you’re a lobbyist who never gave us money, I didn’t talk to you. If you’re a lobbyist who gave us money, I might talk to you.” That’s a vision of play-for-play government, and it’s a vision Mulvaney shares with Trump, his party, and other members of his administration."
Trump opens himself up to hacking because using a secure phone is 'too inconvenient'
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/22/1766158/-Trump-opens-himself-up-to-hacking-because-strong-security-is-too-inconvenient
"since none of his supporters actually care about the disconnect between his campaign words and his actions in office any more than Trump cares about being truthful or consistent, there won’t be any political consequences until hacked information is used against him by a foreign government. Which he’ll blame on the FBI and Democrats, anyway."
"since none of his supporters actually care about the disconnect between his campaign words and his actions in office any more than Trump cares about being truthful or consistent, there won’t be any political consequences until hacked information is used against him by a foreign government. Which he’ll blame on the FBI and Democrats, anyway."
Giuliani accidentally reveals the real purpose of Trump’s extraordinary Oval Office meeting
https://thinkprogress.org/rudy-giulianis-glaring-contradiction-about-trumps-extraordinary-oval-office-meeting-c34c7c8179e8/
"according to Giuliani, Trump convened the meeting to gain a strategic advantage in his personal negotiations with the special counsel. Access to information held by investigators is something that would benefit any person of interest in a criminal probe. But in nearly all circumstances it is unavailable unless the person is formally charged. In this case, Trump is attempting to use the powers of the presidency to demand the information."
"according to Giuliani, Trump convened the meeting to gain a strategic advantage in his personal negotiations with the special counsel. Access to information held by investigators is something that would benefit any person of interest in a criminal probe. But in nearly all circumstances it is unavailable unless the person is formally charged. In this case, Trump is attempting to use the powers of the presidency to demand the information."
Oops! He did it again: Don Jr. met with foreign representatives offering to help elect Trump
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/5/21/1766025/-Oops-It-happened-again-Don-Jr-met-with-foreign-governments-offering-to-help-elect-Trump
"So not only was Don Jr. apparently eager to accept help from foreign governments, the Trump administration’s early moves suggest he sold America’s foreign policy in the process—at least, until someone made the Trump family a better offer."
"So not only was Don Jr. apparently eager to accept help from foreign governments, the Trump administration’s early moves suggest he sold America’s foreign policy in the process—at least, until someone made the Trump family a better offer."
New York state sues Trump along with Ivanka, Eric and Junior, over illegal use of charity funds
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/14/1771902/-New-York-state-sues-Trump-along-with-Ivanka-Eric-and-Junior-over-illegal-use-of-charity-funds
"the state of New York has filed suit against Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump charging them with “persistently illegal conduct” in the operation of the fake charity, the Donald J. Trump Foundation. The Trump Foundation had been hovering in limbo for months after Trump admitted the foundation had engaged in “self dealing” and announced that he would close the foundation—notably within days of when Michael Cohen’s new LLC took over the job of paying Trump’s off-the-books actions. Since then the Trump Foundation has been held open by the New York attorney general’s office pending legal action. Now that action is here. New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood has asked for the remaining funds in the foundation to be dispersed to actual charities, and has assessed Trump and his three children, who were board members for the mock-charity, to cough up $2.8 million to cover the deceptive use of a foundation for personal business. Ivanka, Eric and Junior were included in the fines not because they directed the misuse of funds, but because they specifically failed to exercise the oversight required of those on the board of a charity. They didn’t meet as required, and didn’t address Trump’s illegal use of the funds to cover legal fees, giant portraits of himself, football memorabilia, and paying off a golf bet."
"the state of New York has filed suit against Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump charging them with “persistently illegal conduct” in the operation of the fake charity, the Donald J. Trump Foundation. The Trump Foundation had been hovering in limbo for months after Trump admitted the foundation had engaged in “self dealing” and announced that he would close the foundation—notably within days of when Michael Cohen’s new LLC took over the job of paying Trump’s off-the-books actions. Since then the Trump Foundation has been held open by the New York attorney general’s office pending legal action. Now that action is here. New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood has asked for the remaining funds in the foundation to be dispersed to actual charities, and has assessed Trump and his three children, who were board members for the mock-charity, to cough up $2.8 million to cover the deceptive use of a foundation for personal business. Ivanka, Eric and Junior were included in the fines not because they directed the misuse of funds, but because they specifically failed to exercise the oversight required of those on the board of a charity. They didn’t meet as required, and didn’t address Trump’s illegal use of the funds to cover legal fees, giant portraits of himself, football memorabilia, and paying off a golf bet."
No, having insurance at your job won't save you and your pre-existing condition from Trump
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/14/1771956/-No-having-insurance-at-your-job-won-t-save-you-and-your-pre-existing-condition-from-Trump
"The latest Affordable Care Act sabotage attempt from the occupier of the Oval Office takes direct aim at the protections we currently have against being prevented from getting health insurance because of our health status. Specifically, anyone with a pre-existing condition—ranging from asthma to pregnancy to acne to dodgy knees to cancer—cannot be refused coverage or have coverage priced so high it's not obtainable. That's the law, and has been since Obamacare was enacted. That's the law for everyone, not just people getting their insurance in the individual market or specifically through the Obamacare exchanges. Everyone. “Anyone who just thinks this is just impacting the 12 to 15 million individuals with individual coverage is wrong,” said Timothy Jost, an emeritus law professor at Washington and Lee University. […] “The implications aren’t nearly as big as for the individual market, but they’re real,” said Larry Levitt, a senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation. “Some of these additional protections offered under the ACA were meaningful.” In supporting the specious challenge from Texas and 19 other conservative states, the Trump administration is telling the 27 percent of Americans who have some sort of pre-existing condition that we should go back to the bad old days when they could be denied coverage."
"The latest Affordable Care Act sabotage attempt from the occupier of the Oval Office takes direct aim at the protections we currently have against being prevented from getting health insurance because of our health status. Specifically, anyone with a pre-existing condition—ranging from asthma to pregnancy to acne to dodgy knees to cancer—cannot be refused coverage or have coverage priced so high it's not obtainable. That's the law, and has been since Obamacare was enacted. That's the law for everyone, not just people getting their insurance in the individual market or specifically through the Obamacare exchanges. Everyone. “Anyone who just thinks this is just impacting the 12 to 15 million individuals with individual coverage is wrong,” said Timothy Jost, an emeritus law professor at Washington and Lee University. […] “The implications aren’t nearly as big as for the individual market, but they’re real,” said Larry Levitt, a senior vice president at the Kaiser Family Foundation. “Some of these additional protections offered under the ACA were meaningful.” In supporting the specious challenge from Texas and 19 other conservative states, the Trump administration is telling the 27 percent of Americans who have some sort of pre-existing condition that we should go back to the bad old days when they could be denied coverage."
Trump Family Ran ‘Persistently Illegal’ Charity, New York A.G. Says in Blockbuster Lawsuit
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-used-his-charitable-foundation-like-a-personal-checkbook-lawsuit-alleges?ref=home
"Money raised for veterans, in other words, was being used to help elect Trump."
"Money raised for veterans, in other words, was being used to help elect Trump."
Saturday, June 9, 2018
“Stunned and saddened” by Anthony Bourdain’s death, celebrities and peers honor great chef’s legacy
https://www.salon.com/2018/06/08/stunned-and-saddened-by-anthony-bourdains-death-celebrities-and-peers-honor-great-chefs-legacy/
"Within minutes of the news breaking, Bourdain's peers and celebrities took to social media to mourn the American chef's loss – and honor his legacy."
"Within minutes of the news breaking, Bourdain's peers and celebrities took to social media to mourn the American chef's loss – and honor his legacy."
Anthony Bourdain’s Best Quotes On Living Life To The Fullest: ‘It’s Been An Adventure’
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/anthony-bourdains-best-quotes-on-living-life-to-the-fullest-its-been-an-adventure_us_5b1ab854e4b09d7a3d7202f1
"Through both food and travel, Bourdain exposed audiences to new places, people, and opportunities, and encourage people all over the world to live life to the fullest. Now, his words are recognized as vital lessons to live by."
"Through both food and travel, Bourdain exposed audiences to new places, people, and opportunities, and encourage people all over the world to live life to the fullest. Now, his words are recognized as vital lessons to live by."
Twitter Mourns Anthony Bourdain With Memories Of Adventures He Inspired
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/twitter-pays-tribute-to-anthony-bourdain-with-memories-of-adventures-he-inspired_us_5b1a9081e4b09d7a3d71995c
"From eating street food to picking up martial arts, fans remember how the celebrity chef inspired them to take on new challenges."
"From eating street food to picking up martial arts, fans remember how the celebrity chef inspired them to take on new challenges."
Obama’s Tribute to Anthony Bourdain Captures Exactly Why the Chef Was So Loved
https://www.motherjones.com/food/2018/06/obamas-tribute-to-anthony-bourdain-captures-exactly-why-the-chef-was-so-loved/
"On Friday, as the nation mourned the death of chef, writer, and travel show host Anthony Bourdain, former president Barack Obama took to Twitter to express condolences."
"On Friday, as the nation mourned the death of chef, writer, and travel show host Anthony Bourdain, former president Barack Obama took to Twitter to express condolences."
Six Essential Anthony Bourdain Books You Should Read
https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/books/g21233555/best-anthony-bourdain-books/
"Anthony Bourdain was one of the world's most recognizable chefs thanks to his TV shows. But before he became a celebrity thanks to the hit series No Reservations, Bourdain told rollicking tales of the wild and unpredictable restaurant world with his bestselling books. Here are six essential works that show off not only his knowledge of food and the culture around it, but also his incredible gift for storytelling."
"Anthony Bourdain was one of the world's most recognizable chefs thanks to his TV shows. But before he became a celebrity thanks to the hit series No Reservations, Bourdain told rollicking tales of the wild and unpredictable restaurant world with his bestselling books. Here are six essential works that show off not only his knowledge of food and the culture around it, but also his incredible gift for storytelling."
No One Lived Like Anthony Bourdain. But All Hope to Write Like Him.
https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/a21237182/anthony-bourdain-remembered/
"The way Bourdain lived appeared to represent the purest fulfillment of “carpe diem"."
"The way Bourdain lived appeared to represent the purest fulfillment of “carpe diem"."
Anthony Bourdain and the Power of Telling the Truth
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-gastronomy/anthony-bourdain-and-the-power-of-telling-the-truth
"In his final years, Bourdain attained a new sort of celebrity as an activist, a revered elder statesman, and an overt and uncompromising figure of moral authority."
"In his final years, Bourdain attained a new sort of celebrity as an activist, a revered elder statesman, and an overt and uncompromising figure of moral authority."
Anthony Bourdain: 15 Great Musician Encounters
https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/anthony-bourdain-music-best-moments-travel-food-rock-w521278
"From touring Senegal with Youssou N'Dour to talking baseball with Alice Cooper, we look back at the late chef's most memorable artist meet-ups"
"From touring Senegal with Youssou N'Dour to talking baseball with Alice Cooper, we look back at the late chef's most memorable artist meet-ups"
Barack Obama Remembers Anthony Bourdain With Touching Vietnam Photo
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/barack-obama-anthony-bourdain-parts-unknown_us_5b1aaa09e4b09d7a3d71e012
"Former President Barack Obama on Friday fondly remembered CNN host and chef Anthony Bourdain, posting a photo of the two sharing a meal as part of a 2016 episode of Bourdain’s show “Parts Unknown"."
"Former President Barack Obama on Friday fondly remembered CNN host and chef Anthony Bourdain, posting a photo of the two sharing a meal as part of a 2016 episode of Bourdain’s show “Parts Unknown"."
From Drunken Tattoos to Noodles With Obama, These Are Anthony Bourdain’s Greatest TV Moments
https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/g21234220/anthony-bourdain-best-tv-episodes/
"In over 15 years on TV, Anthony Bourdain traveled to more than 80 countries. He went to active war zones, dined with the President of the United States, received drunken tattoos from Iban tribesmen, and ate in opulent dining rooms and back alleys alike. As a host, writer, and chef, he knew better than anyone that food is our connecting thread no matter where we're from."
"In over 15 years on TV, Anthony Bourdain traveled to more than 80 countries. He went to active war zones, dined with the President of the United States, received drunken tattoos from Iban tribesmen, and ate in opulent dining rooms and back alleys alike. As a host, writer, and chef, he knew better than anyone that food is our connecting thread no matter where we're from."
The World Mourns Anthony Bourdain
http://www.grubstreet.com/2018/06/world-responds-to-anthony-bourdains-death.html
"You cannot overstate his influence, and his voice and fearlessness will be deeply missed by the world. For many, he lived a life — both in what he did (the traveling and eating) and how he did it (with fearlessness) — they wanted. In the wake of his death, chefs, journalists, artists, and pretty much everyone has been sharing remembrances."
"You cannot overstate his influence, and his voice and fearlessness will be deeply missed by the world. For many, he lived a life — both in what he did (the traveling and eating) and how he did it (with fearlessness) — they wanted. In the wake of his death, chefs, journalists, artists, and pretty much everyone has been sharing remembrances."
Here Are Some Of Anthony Bourdain’s Most Powerful Pieces Of Writing
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/here-are-anthony-bourdains-most-powerful-pieces-of-writing_us_5b1a9124e4b0bbb7a0dc054b
"To say Anthony Bourdain was a “good writer” is to do him a disservice. Though he was a chef, restaurateur and TV host, it was his writing in the 2000 book Kitchen Confidential that launched him to fame."
"To say Anthony Bourdain was a “good writer” is to do him a disservice. Though he was a chef, restaurateur and TV host, it was his writing in the 2000 book Kitchen Confidential that launched him to fame."
This Is The Story That Launched Anthony Bourdain’s Media Career
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/this-is-the-story-that-launched-anthony-bourdains-media-career_us_5b1a7b1de4b09d7a3d716b88
"Bourdain’s essay in The New Yorker, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This” was published in 1999. It changed everything."
"Bourdain’s essay in The New Yorker, “Don’t Eat Before Reading This” was published in 1999. It changed everything."
Celebrities React To Anthony Bourdain’s Death At 61
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/anthony-bourdain-death-reaction_us_5b1a6d40e4b09d7a3d714bbd
"Anthony Bourdain’s fellow celebrity chefs and other prominent figures from politics, entertainment, sports and media ― including his colleagues from CNN ― mourned his death on Friday."
"Anthony Bourdain’s fellow celebrity chefs and other prominent figures from politics, entertainment, sports and media ― including his colleagues from CNN ― mourned his death on Friday."
Anthony Bourdain—'As Honest and Fearless in His Words as He Was in His Travels'—Dead at 61 From Apparent Suicide
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/06/08/anthony-bourdain-honest-and-fearless-his-words-he-was-his-travels-dead-61-apparent
"Bourdain "didn't look down on foreign places he visited and their 'quaintness/backwardness/insert-usual-derogatory adjective.' He dived in, hungry to experience. His wasn't the Orientalist gaze. He saw humanity (and food) everywhere, and connected with it"."
"Bourdain "didn't look down on foreign places he visited and their 'quaintness/backwardness/insert-usual-derogatory adjective.' He dived in, hungry to experience. His wasn't the Orientalist gaze. He saw humanity (and food) everywhere, and connected with it"."
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