Politics Chatboard – Teachers.Net

Tim Finnegan Bob, I am glad to see you've finally admitted that Trump won. You often asked me how I could say Trump won.

Are you just as upset at the stolen information coming from the leaks now, such as the leak of a grand jury or the (discredited) dossier?

We will see if anything comes from the matter Mueller is currently looking in to. Hav...See More

Aug 7, 2017

Obamacare will be just fine LOL!

Health insurer Aetna announced Thursday that it would completely withdraw from the Obamacare exchanges in 2018, after seeing its profits soar from reducing its participation this year.

The company said during an earnings call that it was withdrawing from the exchange in Nevada, the last state it had considered staying in. Aetna was leaving...See More

Aug 3, 2017

Aetna exits Obamacare exchanges

The health insurance giant had left the door open to participating in Nevada but has decided to end participation in all states.

Washington Examiner | washingtonexaminer.com

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Tim Finnegan Or maybe it is like Democrats who claim to want single-payer healthcare, yet when it comes time to vote for it (such as in the completely Democratic state of California), they just say no.

The attacks are in the bad ideas, not bad parties. Obamacare was a poorly written bill, so poorly written that a fox was being worked on before it was e...See More

Aug 5, 2017

Bob R/CA Do you read yourself? You complain about Democrats voting for something that is a bad idea, then complain they don't vote for something because it isn't fully cooked.

Aug 5, 2017

"Party loyalty is often cited as the reason that GOP leaders have not been more outspoken in their criticism of President Donald Trump and his refusal to condemn Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Yet there may be another reason that top Republicans have not been more vocal in their condemnation. Perhaps it's because they have...See More

Tangled Web

by Chalky

Aug 4, 2017

Tangled web connects Russian oligarch money to GOP campaigns

Party loyalty is often cited as the reason that GOP leaders have not been more outspoken in their criticism of President Donald Trump and his...

Dallas News | dallasnews.com

Boo to the Trump administration!

by Tim Finnegan

Aug 4, 2017

Looks like the DOJ is going to put an Obama era program of making it easier to target journalists in overdrive. I know that the Trump admin wants to get to the bottom of these leaks, but naming journalists as unindicted co-conspirators and monitoring their phone conversations is not the way to do it. And while people like Maxine Waters may be OK wi...See More

Opinion | If Donald Trump Targets Journalists, Thank Obama

Obama has laid all the groundwork Trump needs for a crackdown on reporters.

| nytimes.com

Science Now says glaciers may have made the earth warmer

Aug 2, 2017

Weathering of Earth by glaciers may have warmed the planet over eons by aiding the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A new study shows the cumulative effect may have created negative feedback that prevented runaway glaciation.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170731164440.htm

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Lulu Steve, what we're experiencing now is not minuscule. It is measurable over the span of years, not millennia or eons. Your argument is like saying, "I've discovered that one of my windows isn't properly insulated, therefore it doesn't matter if I turn the heat up to 90 and throw open all the windows and doors in my house."

Aug 4, 2017

Bob R/CA What critics of science don't seem to realize is, the Earth is indeed affected by all these factors. The sun, animals, plants, geological activity. Those factors are not new, they have been occurring for eons. Their interplay forms an equilibrium and our environment is keyed to that equilibrium.

Introduce a new factor, and that equilibrium...See More

Aug 4, 2017

You didn't build that - the taxpayer did

by Bob R/CA

Aug 4, 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/07/27/foxconn-deal-would-cost-wisconsin-230700-per-worker/

Analysis | Foxconn deal to build massive factory in Wisconsin could cost the state $230...

The Taiwanese technology giant has agreed to build a factory that would stretch 20 million square feet, the size of 11 football fields, and Gov. Scott Walker has offered financial rewards to seal the deal.

Washington Post | washingtonpost.com

Look over there! More collusion!

Aug 4, 2017

Starting Tonight, GOP Will Have Full Control of 26 States

Population of GOP-controlled states: 164,139,104

Population of Dem-controlled states: 50,190,213

http://www.atr.org/map

Al Gore is a carbon fuel pig

Al Gore's Climate Change Hypocrisy Is As Big As His Energy-Sucking Mansion

A new analysis by the National Center for Public Policy Research found that Gore's Tennessee home "guzzles more electricity in one year than the average American family uses in 21 years."

In one month last year, the report found, Gore's home consumed more e...See More

Aug 4, 2017

Al Gore's Climate Change Hypocrisy Is As Big As His Energy-Sucking Mansion

In one month last year Al Gore's home consumed more electricity than the average family uses in 34 months, a report found.

Investor's Business Daily | investors.com

McMasters gave Susan Rice

by Chalky

Aug 3, 2017

"unfettered and continuing access to classified information and waiving her "need-to-know" requirement on anything she viewed or received during her tenure"

https://www.circa.com/story/2017/08/03/politics/susan-rice-keeps-top-secret-security-clearance-hr-mcmaster-letter-says

A letter from H.R. McMaster said Susan Rice will keep her top-secret security clearance

Former national security adviser Rice reportedly continued getting classified information.

Mueller impanels grand jury

by Chalky

Aug 3, 2017

https://www.wsj.com/articles/special-counsel-mueller-impanels-washington-grand-jury-in-russia-probe-1501788287

Special Counsel Mueller Impanels Washington Grand Jury in Russia Probe

Special Counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury in Washington to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections, a sign that his inquiry is growing in intensity and entering a new phase, according to people familiar with the matter.

Chalky Here's the article in case readers here don't subscribe to the WSJ:

"Special Counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury in Washington to investigate Russia's interference in the 2016 elections, a sign that his inquiry is growing in intensity and entering a new phase, according to people familiar with the matter. The grand jury, whic...See MoreHere's the article in case readers here don't subscribe to the WSJ:

"Special Counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury in Washington to investigate Russia's interference in the 2016 elections, a sign that his inquiry is growing in intensity and entering a new phase, according to people familiar with the matter. The grand jury, which began its work in recent weeks, is a sign that Mr. Mueller's inquiry is ramping up and that it will likely continue for months. Mr. Mueller is investigating Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 election and whether President Donald Trump's campaign or associates colluded with the Kremlin as part of that effort. A spokesman for Mr. Mueller, Joshua Stueve, declined to comment. Moscow has denied seeking to influence the election, and Mr. Trump has vigorously disputed allegations of collusion. The president has called Mr. Mueller's inquiry a "witch hunt." Ty Cobb, special counsel to the president, said he wasn't aware that Mr. Mueller had started using a new grand jury. "Grand jury matters are typically secret," Mr. Cobb said. "The White House favors anything that accelerates the conclusion of his work fairly.…The White House is committed to fully cooperating with Mr. Mueller." Before Mr. Mueller was tapped in May to be special counsel, federal prosecutors had been using at least one other grand jury, located in Alexandria, Va., to assist in their criminal investigation of Michael Flynn, a former national security adviser. That probe, which has been taken over by Mr. Mueller's team, focuses on Mr. Flynn's work in the private sector on behalf of foreign interests. Grand juries are powerful investigative tools that allow prosecutors to subpoena documents, put witnesses under oath and seek indictments, if there is evidence of a crime. Legal experts said that the decision by Mr. Mueller to impanel a grand jury suggests he believes he will need to subpoena records and take testimony from witnesses. A grand jury in Washington is also more convenient for Mr. Mueller and his 16 attorneys—they work just a few blocks from the U.S. federal courthouse where grand juries meet—than one that is 10 traffic-clogged miles away in Virginia. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is taking over the investigation into potential links between President Trump's campaign and Russian officials. WSJ's Shelby Holliday explains just how broad his authority can go. "This is yet a further sign that there is a long-term, large-scale series of prosecutions being contemplated and being pursued by the special counsel," said Stephen I. Vladeck, a law professor at the University of Texas. "If there was already a grand jury in Alexandria looking at Flynn, there would be no need to reinvent the wheel for the same guy. This suggests that the investigation is bigger and wider than Flynn, perhaps substantially so." Thomas Zeno, a federal prosecutor for 29 years before becoming a lawyer at the Squire Patton Boggs law firm, said the grand jury is "confirmation that this is a very vigorous investigation going on." "This doesn't mean he is going to bring charges," Mr. Zeno cautioned. "But it shows he is very serious. He wouldn't do this if it were winding down." Another sign the investigation is ramping up: Greg Andres, a top partner in a powerhouse New York law firm, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, has joined Mr. Mueller's team. Mr. Andres, a former top Justice Department official who also oversaw the criminal division of the U.S. attorney's office in Brooklyn, wouldn't leave his private-sector job for a low-level investigation, Mr. Zeno said. "People like Greg Andres don't leave private practice willy-nilly," Mr. Zeno said. "The fact he is being added after couple of months shows how serious this is and that it could last a long time." Mr. Andres couldn't be reached for comment. The developments unfolded amid a new sign of concern by Congress that Mr. Mueller's independence needs to be protected. Sens. Thom Tillis (R., N.C.) and Chris Coons (D., Del.) introduced legislation Thursday making it harder for Mr. Trump to fire Mr. Mueller. Under the legislation, a special counsel could challenge his or her removal, with a three-judge panel ruling within 14 days on whether the firing was justified. If the panel found no good cause for the firing, the special counsel would immediately be reinstated. The legislation follows a similar effort from Sens. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) and Cory Booker (D., N.J.) "The introduction of two bills with two different bipartisan pairs strengthens the message that there is broad concern about this," said Mr. Coons, who said that Mr. Tillis approached him on the Senate floor about teaming up on legislation. According to a January report from the U.S. intelligence community, the highest levels of the Russian government were involved in directing the electoral interference. Its tactics included hacking state election systems; infiltrating and leaking information from party committees and political strategists; and disseminating through social media and other outlets negative stories about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and positive ones about Mr. Trump, the report said. It is unclear how long Mr. Mueller's investigation will last, and there is no deadline for its completion. The probe is complicated by the classified nature of much of the information Mr. Mueller's team is reviewing. Evidence of its sensitivity came in June when Mr. Mueller moved from his temporary offices to a nearby secure facility that his representatives have declined to identify. While working closely with Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, Mr. Mueller has assembled a team of accomplished prosecutors and lawyers specializing in criminal and national security law. Twelve attorneys are on temporary assignment to the special counsel's office from the Justice Department or FBI, and three came from Mr. Mueller's firm of WilmerHale. Mr. Andres is the most recent addition. Mr. Trump has questioned the neutrality of Mr. Mueller's office, telling Fox News he is concerned that Mr. Mueller's prosecutors are "Hillary Clinton supporters" and that Messrs. Mueller and Comey are friends. Mr. Comey was a top Justice official in the George W. Bush administration when Mr. Mueller was the FBI director; both are Republicans. Those who know both men said they aren't social friends, though they respect each other and had a solid relationship in government. At least eight members of Mr. Mueller's team have given to Democratic candidates, including the presidential campaigns of Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton, according to Federal Election Commission records. At least one—James Quarles, a member of the Watergate Special Prosecution Force—has donated to politicians in both parties. Mr. Andres in March supported a Democratic lawmaker, donating $2,700 to Kirsten Gillibrand, a U.S. senator representing New York, according federal campaign disclosure records. Mr. Mueller made two contributions in 1996 to Republican William Weld, then a candidate for a U.S. senate seat in Massachusetts, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks money in politics."

https://www.wsj.com/articles/special-counsel-mueller-impanels-washington-grand-jury-in-russia-probe-1501788287

Aug 3, 2017

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