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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Rule of Law
I was serving time in the universal mind
I was feeling fine.
Jim Morrison
A month or so ago, I was talking with a good friend who I met on this forum. We were discussing the Mueller investigation, and she expressed concern that things were going too slowly, that there had been little progress reported in the media. I said that I believed things were going pretty darned well, and that there were some big reports that were coming up soon, which would be extremely damaging to Trump and his associates.
My friend, who by her nature does not totally subscribe to my belief that to quote a Rubin Carter letter I received in 1974 everything under the sun is as it should be, or it wouldn't be, asked how I could be sure? I noted that there is a lot of information known in Washington, DC (and NYC) that is true, but that investigative reporters must nail down before putting it in print. There s also a lot of rumors that are not accurate. One must consider the sources.
Does anyone doubt, for example, that retired ONI officer Malcolm Nance knows far, far more than he has stated on record? And to really appreciate that, you should read or re-read his book on the plot to hack the 2016 election. Or that David Corn and Michael Isikoff do not have access to information far beyond the amazing amount they included in their recent book? Why, just last night, my cousin called me to say that, based upon the little grin tugging on Maya Wiley's face when she appeared on MSNBC, that that lady knows things she isn't sharing just yet.
Back when talking to my friend, I said that Jeff Sessions had been willingly flipped by Team Mueller. My understanding was that Mr. Mueller had played a central role in this. My buddy asked if I was certain of this? Yes, I said. Consider how investigators approach any case with a group of suspects. They not only start at the bottom, but they identify weak links. Sessions is the very definition of a weak link in the Trump organization.
As then-Senator Al Franken's questions revealed, the Trump campaign had dipped Sessions in the Russian plot during the campaign. Watch those hearings again, and you will see that it dawns on Jeff that he is in an unanticipated tight spot. Thus, his recusal, followed by Trump's vicious attacks upon his person. Now, I view Sessions as a scum, but it is still obvious that he had no intention of protecting Trump by putting himself in further danger.
Earlier this week, my friend asked what I thought Mitch McConnell what do in terms of protecting Trump from impeachment? That's an interesting an important question. Let's place it in the context of the current view that republicans are far different than they were in the Nixon era. There is a myth that those in the House were long intent upon impeachment, and that three Senators, led by Goldwater, convinced Nixon he had to resign.
Those of us old enough to remember along with those who have watched the House committee hearings, found upon Youtube know that many of them were every bit as toxic and unethical as today's crop. It was only when enough information had been made public, that they surrendered to the Rule of Law. More, Nixon had already decided to resign; the Senators simply confirmed that he needed to do so soon.
Mitch McConnell is much closer to a Nixon republican than to a Trump republican. In fact, in the shallow recesses of his mind, he not only strongly resents Trump as an individual, but he views him as a threat to the republican party he has invested in, and profited from. Cocaine Mitch has seen enough evidence including what is public, and what is private to know that it is very likely he and his friends would have to publicly stand against the Rule of Law, should they seek to protect Trump.
There are other issues that may come into play. An example would be if Trump was successful in getting North Korea to agree to a deal that is not in their national interests. That would increase his support within the party. Yet it is unlikely that Trump will succeed. (Obviously, Mitch liked the tax-cuts that benefit the opulently wealthy, at the expense of the country.)
Thus, at this point, Mitch is considering options for if the Mueller report comes out by mid-September. He favors a middle-of-the-road approach, neither helping not hurting Trump before the elections. He will speak about that rule of law that no individual stands above. Like Trey Gowdy, he will only go so far in commenting on Trump's wild conspiracy theories.
Depending upon the outcome of the fall elections, and the public opinion that Rudy G babbles about, Mitch will be happy to stick it to Trump. He has hinted just that to a few of his closest associates.
Just for fun, I thought I'd reveal something else that is known, but not reported yet. It sounds insane, because it is. But we are dealing with extremely paranoid minds, that are under intense pressure. Trump's nonsense about the Deep State placing a spy in his campaign (and, though unsaid, his administration), is more than a Hannity-Bannon tactic to arouse his mentally-dead flock of followers. Trump himself is convinced that Sessions is the deep state spy. Hence, the next three weeks will be highly entertaining.
Peace,
H2O Man
Me.
(35,454 posts)Wow oh wow, the bits about Sessions flipping and being suspected of being 'deep state'...mind-blowing. Every time I see Sessions I am reminded of the saying that you can only kick a dog so many times before it turns on you. Of course, Sessions is no innocent, he loves all those nasty immigration and other steps he has taken, dream time for him.
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)He is a pathetic excuse for a human being. It's a giggle to think that any group of criminals would think, "Yeah, Jeff is solid. Let's deal him in." (Note: Never, ever include a punk on your team, especially not in criminal enterprises. )
As the NY Times reported, he has been interviewed by Team Mueller in January. He is not attempting to protect Trump. He is only looking out for himself.
While there is actually less than zero chance the FBI or CIA "planted" him in the campaign to spy, Hannity and Trump believe it. He was, after all, the first Senator to endorse Trump .....which actually demonstrates that he is an idiot.
Me.
(35,454 posts)H2O Man
(73,510 posts)best learned in junior high school.
empedocles
(15,751 posts)Lot of complex 'layers'
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)They are the layers of a human cesspool.
ms liberty
(8,558 posts)H2O Man
(73,510 posts)I hope that you enjoy it.
yonder
(9,657 posts)H2O Man
(73,510 posts)malthaussen
(17,175 posts)"This is the best of all possible worlds." (or paraphrasing Leibnitz, if we want to be rigorous)
Now, that's a sentiment that would require several hours and vast quantities of one's favorite controlled substance to explore.
-- Mal
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)that he would often speak of while touring in his later years. I remember earlier, when he realized that the earth was not a cold stone flying through space, but a miraculous, living entity. "One soul, capable of dividing into millions of individual beings for millions of years," would be close to an accurate quote. He also called earth "Fantasy Island, where you can accomplish anything, if you believe in the Power of Ideas." And, of course, a garden. (I was remembering our discussions while tending some flower gardens this week. He was a unique character.)
malthaussen
(17,175 posts)... "Let us cultivate our garden."
Gaea would seem to fit in to many belief systems. Even the monotheistic ones have their pantheists, usually determined to be heretics and suitably disposed of.
Mr Carter sounds like a true philosopher.
-- Mal
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)Rubin used to say that he was an atheist who found wisdom in all the world's religions.
Mr.Bill
(24,253 posts)is wrapped up with Russian money and is just as guilty as Trump? What then?
I personally think that if Mueller has video of Trump chopping the heads off live babies they still will not impeach him and remove him from office. And I'm not kidding.
BSdetect
(8,995 posts)RandomAccess
(5,210 posts)He took plenty of Russian-allied money. As for other guilt (like Trump), I don't know.
14:24 6/6/2017
Over 400 Trump Docs Leaked: Russian Money Tied to McConnell, Cruz, Rubio, McCain, and RNC
http://www.bluedotdaily.com/over-400-trump-docs-leaked-russian-money-tied-to-mcconnell-cruz-rubio-mccain-and-rnc/
RYAN: HOT TOPIC Paul Ryans Connection: Russia Stole More Than Just The Presidency
http://www.bluedotdaily.com/paul-ryans-connection-russia-stole-more-than-just-the-presidency/
@Khanoisseur
1. Why Mitch McConnell is sabotaging Russia investigationdark money trail leads right to himBlavatnik, is pals with Putin crony Vekselberg
Link to tweet
2. McConnell SuperPAC funder Blavatnik went to school with Vekselberg who happens to control Bank of Cyprus @funder
Link to tweet
3. McConnell SuperPAC funder Blavatnik, Vekselberg, and Alfa Bank founder Fridman, are all controlled by Putin https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2015/01/21/the-four-horsemen-of-russias-economic-apocalypse/
4. Trump-Russia-dark money investigation, if led by forensic accounting experts, will inevitably ensnare SuperPACs5. Dark foreign money is powering Republicans and they're scrambling to ensure Trump-Russia probe doesn't catch them
5. Dark foreign money is powering Republicans and they're scrambling to ensure Trump-Russia probe doesn't catch them
Link to tweet
6. Schwarzman, Trump adviser who took $13 billion from China *last year alone* and drove killing TPP, also funded McConnell superPAC
7. Only forensic accounting can tell if Schwarzman took money from China/Russia then routed it to McConnell/Trump
8. Got all this? What does Wilbur Ross (former vice-chair Bank of Cyprus) know of the dark foreign money pipeline to US politicians? img
9. Opportunity to skim off $1 trillion infrastructure plan a helluva incentive for McConnell to derail Trump-Russia
10. From his perch on Senate Intel Cmte, McConnell's built a firewall to insulate Trump, himself from Russia probe
11. The other firewall around Trump was constructed by Koch favorite PenceKochs won't let himand their agendafail
12. Oh look, just as story breaks of Senate Intel Cmte sabotaging Russia probe, McConnell distracts with North Korea
As outlined in this ??thread, dark money funneled to key GOP players is a big piece of Russian election interference
Link to tweet
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)H2O Man
(73,510 posts)Russian funding within the legislative branch, I'd start with Devin Nunes's family business. And the RNC over the past five years.
malthaussen
(17,175 posts)... I wonder how many. Sometimes, I think it may be the whole lot of the GOP, but I wonder if there are any on the other side of the aisle?
NRA grades might be a place to start.
-- Mal
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)NRA grades.
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,966 posts)H2O Man
(73,510 posts)And information will become made public .....either if they release it, or it leaks out. They know this. They know Trump will become more unhinged in an uncoordinated effort to maintain power. And that is when Rule of Law will come into sharp focus.
Trey Gowdy has even dismissed the "spygate" bullshit. Curious timing for him to retire from the House!
peggysue2
(10,824 posts)I appreciate your title and the emphasis you give to The Rule of Law, the wheels of which may not turn rapidly but do turn relentlessly, decisively once placed into gear. It's why the Trumpster and his acolytes are flailing in all directions. Even they can hear and see those wheels churning in their direction and realize that a successful Dem result in November means their ultimate demise. Putin, mobsters, crooks and fraudsters of every description want the public to believe that the Rule of Law is a figment of our imagination, a quaint but insubstantial notion, something to which the American system simply gives lip service.
I'm convinced that Mueller and his investigative team will prove the doubters wrong. We need to be patient which is hard under the circumstances. But the Rule of Law, slow though it may be, is our best instrument to excise the malignant corruption that's taken root. And then, the electorate must send its own loud, unmistakable message:
This will not stand. Not on our watch.
malthaussen
(17,175 posts)... grinds very slowly, but very fine.
-- Mal
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)"This will not stand. Not on our watch."
If the 2016 presidential election showed nothing else, it showed that there are more of us than there are of them. And since we've seen already that they are going to use impeachment as a war cry to rally their base, we shouldn't try to ignore it this fall. Nor should we allow them to frame the issue .....much in the manner they use "deep state" or "spy-gate." Screw that. Rule of Law. I'm fine with some Democrats saying -- accurately -- that they must wait for the Mueller Report. But they must focus upon Rule of Law, in order to insure that we can get out the votes needed to win.
coeur_de_lion
(3,676 posts)I always thought that Fredo was lying about that. Its interesting to read that he actually believes that it exists. And that Sessions is the spy.
Whatever he believes, if the GOP refuses to confirm another AG he is stuck with Sessions, who he believes is a spy.
Very interesting OP as usual! I always rely on your point of view because you seem to see things differently ~ maybe a little more clearly than I do.
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)years ago, my oldest brother saying that the JFK assassination was a coup. My father responded that it wasn't: it had been JFK attempting to change the system, and the system simply reasserted itself. Now, I'm not advocating any theory on Dallas, rather, just pointing out that there is a system that expels people (like Nixon) who don't play by the rules.
That there is a "shadow government" could be believed, based upon VP Cheney's instituting it on 9/11, as documented in Senator Byrd's book, "Losing America." Those around Trump refer to this as the "Deep State." And, in a sense, if it assisted in getting rid of Nixon in the 1970s, one could assume it might reject Trump now. However, it is important to point out that while the Nixon re-election campaign won by a landslide, Trump "won" by getting millions less votes. Yikes! Without the Russian interference, Clinton would have won by a landslide.
coeur_de_lion
(3,676 posts)about the election of *ush but he stayed in office 8 years.
If the deep state is going to spit him out I wish they would hurry up.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)about McConnell out there, and I think a clue to what he will do is in the wide belief among some who know him that for his entire political life he wanted to someday be Senate Majority Leader. He achieved his goal in 2015 and will run for reelection in 2020.
There was NO indication in anything I read that this man has a ruling ideology, any morals or ideals, or any high-minded legacy he wants to someday be remembered by. It's strikingly the opposite. When he achieved his goal, many watched to see if he would finally reveal big goals. Nothing. Only the continued accrual and exercise of power. He started as a moderate conservative and moved right as the mood of the nation moved. always gathering power. He's famous for loving fundraisers, which most colleagues loathe, and as the billionaire classes grew and the sizes of checks grew, so did McConnell's power.
So, a long way of saying I believe that for McConnell everything is going to be about maintaining a Republican majority in the senate, and about doing whatever he has to to be reelected, so that he can continue as senate majority leader. That's it. Everything he doesn't need for his own continuation of power is potentially expendable, disposable.
BSdetect
(8,995 posts)Hortensis
(58,785 posts)all his career. He became Chinese business's man in DC back in the time of Tienanmen Square crisis when we threatened sanctions on China; his future father-in-law came looking for someone to stop that and was directed to him. The rest is history.
No surprise that the largest amount of the Russian money funneled to political PACs has gone to his (that I've heard of). What would be a very pleasurable surprise would be if he's done anything illegal that could be proven. There are huge advantages to writing the laws, and he helped write the one that allows donations of foreign money to PACs.
And it is likely that he's stayed as carefully away from Trump as he seems to have.
But he's a hugely powerful man, and I don't for a minute believe he doesn't have a good idea why Scalia was meeting with nearly 40 still-anonymous people in the desert that time, or various other secret meetings, or who might have convinced Comey and McCabe to put their careers on the line in 2016. And much more. There may be an entanglement he couldn't slither past somewhere.
Let's hope.
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)Mitch, like Sessions, is a selfish, petty man, concerned primarily with his own personal benefit. In the many years I've witnessed, neither has shown any indication of being "good." Turning on Trump in these instances isn't because either has a conscience. It's merely looking out for their own interests.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)far more competence, but both have traveled far because they lack the burdens of conscience and duty.
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)You nailed it!
shraby
(21,946 posts)H2O Man
(73,510 posts)You are, of course, largely responsible for my contributing this type of essay, dating back to when you started the infamous "Plame Threads." Newer forum members might not be aware of that.
FakeNoose
(32,596 posts)Your interesting suggestions have been random thoughts of my own for the last couple years. I believe you could be right about Jeff Sessions, there seems to be an effort to keep him in his position "at all costs." Why would that be, unless he's already flipped and it would have happened early on - maybe even before Mueller was on board.
McConnell has been exploring ways to save his own ass when the inevitable happens. And make no mistake - he KNOWS it will happen. McConnell has kept his head down and worked the party lines for the last year, staying away from media. Let Trump sink or swim on his own, McConnell is only interested in saving his position as Majority Leader. If too many GOP candidates lose, he loses the majority and that's the one thing that matters to him.
Looking back over the last 16.5 months since Cheeto was inaugurated, isn't it shocking that he hasn't fired Sessions yet? It seems that has been a concerted effort to keep Sessions in the Trump Administration (and Rosenstein) while most other firings and dismissals have been met with shrugged shoulders. This really makes me wonder.
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)And . . . it would be hard to persuade members of Congress to vote for any replacement for Sessions that Trump might nominate.
Besides, as we see, Trump's appointees support the Mueller investigation.
Giuliani is simply not qualified to be the Attorney General, and Congress might revolt if Trump nominated someone who is obviously his friend to that job. Remember. Congress not only has the power to impeach the president. It can impeach other government officials. And even a Republican majority in Congress would if a Trump appointee did something that placed future GOP election victories in jeopardy.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Sessions, he got some reassuringly strong resistance to that astonishing idea. I saw Cruz's name media-speculated today, taken for what it's worth.
Still, his rage at Sessions flares up almost every day, making me wonder also if something more than threats from congress are protecting Sessions.
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)I think that having republican Senators telling Trump that they wouldn't confirm any nominee, should Trump fire Sessions, is a huge factor. In the Senate, unlike the House, Sessions has more friends than Trump. Yet, even in the House, the "human pimple," Trey Gowdy, is on record as saying the FBI was correct in having an informant talk to the three fellows from the Trump campaign.
What is curious, I think, is that the informant had apparently spoken with the first one, prior to being tasked by the FBI. Add that to his serving as an asset for another intelligence agency in previous years .....and it looks to me like Trump really can't afford to dig too deeply here. (The informant is, and has been for decades, a shithead, but that isn't the important factor here.)
kentuck
(111,053 posts)As usual...
I agree, the next 3 weeks will be very interesting and entertaining.
They are extremely paranoid. The deep state is everywhere. And the trump is using his magic words at every opportunity, words like "Nancy Pelosi", "Hillary Clinton", "the lyin' media", "Spy-gate", for negative support and applause from his supporters
There is no question that the Trump republicans will attempt to make this fall's elections about fear and impeachment. I do not believe that there is any potential benefit accrued by avoiding those topics. There are times when one can be most successful by attacking their opposition's perceived "strengths." But that never includes allowing the opponent to dictate the terms of engagement. That's why "Rule of Law" is superior to "impeachment" for our campaigns. It transforms Trump's "strengths" into weakness.
Solly Mack
(90,758 posts)I think maybe Sessions has turned, to a point. He'll protect himself.
Still, it's Sessions.
And Trump is of the mind to go attacking anyone around him he thinks is out to get him and Sessions is the prime suspect it seems.
Still, it's Sessions.
I'd hate it if he came away with only a small singeing.
I know you're supposed to give your enemies an exit, however small, to give them room to make a mistake or do the right (defined as the cutting of losses) thing, but I really dislike Sessions.
For once, I'd like to see the whole ship go down with no life rafts anywhere. Those that make it to shore tend to crawl their way back into public life and (a lot of) people (seem to) have such short memories.
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)In this instance, rather than an exit, I think an entrance to incarceration is more appropriate. Sessions is a vile specimen of humanity.
gordianot
(15,234 posts)When Trump in 2016 invoked Russian assistance attacking Hillary Clinton that was a Occams razor moment for many. Imagine a Hillary Clinton administration dogged by Donald Trump selling his lies with a complicit Congress. At least with a Trump Administration there is some hope of purging this one demon once and for all time. A full fledged trade war is on the horizon as we abandon our allies and understanding that all of humanity is connected. Protectionist ultra nationalist policies were once understood as an existential danger. New demons will emerge in the wake of the fall of Trump no doubt. Maybe humanity will prove they deserve to survive as a species.
H2O Man
(73,510 posts)The number of "white nationalists" -- or, more accurately, "racist sludge" -- running in republican primaries should be viewed as a very dangerous issue in the United States. It's not unexpected or surprising. But it is extremely dangerous.
gibraltar72
(7,499 posts)From the beginning he has said sigint. He knew our ex friends were listening. We only know what Mueller wants Trumps team to know unless good reporting has exposed something. I don't believe anyone faced with the choice of saving their own ass will choose Trumps instead.
Sophia4
(3,515 posts)He does not have the lifelong allegiance to the Republican Party that men like Boehner and McConnell have.
And let's think about what that lifelong allegiance really means.
The Republican Party stands for selfishness, for hate, for a lot of ugly traits that we Democrats have difficulty even considering. We have trouble even imagining how truly self-centered Republicans, especially the leaders of the Republican Party really are.
Nixon was much less self-centered than Trump. He was less self-aggrandized.
So the Nixon history, the part where he resigned, may not play out with Trump as president.
I have a darker vision of the outcome of this saga. And I'm glad I am in Southern California when I think of it. The Trump crowd is not "rule of law" oriented. They are more "Second-Amendment-forget-the-rest-of-the-Constitution" oriented.
I hate to say this, but I am very worried about where the Trump presidency is going.
We need to return to the rule of law. Trump cannot do that. Nor can McConnell. It isn't their philosophy in life. Not if the rule of law infringes on their personal desires, whether for power or women.
Uncle Joe
(58,298 posts)Thanks for the thread H2O Man
malaise
(268,720 posts)Great read WaterMan
mountain grammy
(26,598 posts)spanone
(135,795 posts)K&R...
kentuck
(111,053 posts)...we do not deserve to survive as a nation.
ProfessorGAC
(64,875 posts)...Nixon republican than to a Trump republican.
Struck me funny. Like saying "he's more like a Mussolini fascist than a nazi."
Both rotten eggs, but from different coops.
Sensitive soul
(71 posts)Response to H2O Man (Original post)
Sensitive soul This message was self-deleted by its author.