Leferd

The Washington Post story indicates that the intelligence was code-worded. That's Top Secret level. Russia and the USA are not allies. I'm saying Trump needs to have impulse control and not reveal things to the Russians that should not have been revealed.

Good grief. Trump committed a major breach of Intelligence and operational security by sharing the highest level of classified intel to a foreign adversary -- the same adversary his team is under investigation for colluding with -- from an ally source that did not want the information to be shared --least of all the Russians or Syrians, which has now been compromised. Additionally, other US allies have gone on the record stating that they will now be more hesitant in sharing Intel with the US because the President can't seem to get out of his own way to keep his braggadocio in check and keep his mouth shut when he's being played by Russian Spymasters.

WaPo: Trump revealed intel to Russians WH staff: The WaPo story is false. Trump never revealed sources and methods. (WaPo never said he did) Trump: I told the Russians, and I have every right to do so.

Last night, Administration officials such as McMaster tried to refute the WP story -- or in McMaster's case, throw a red herring, about Trump sharing highly classified intel with the Russians. Trump just admitted he shared intel with the Russians, while announcing to the world that he had the right to do so, btw.

And so the denial backtracking begins...

Wrong thread mate. Should be in alternative facts. http://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/05/15/mcmaster-wapo-classified-info-story-is-false-i-was-in-the-room-it-didnt-happen/ Per NBC News' Brad Jaffy, pay attention to what McMaster actually tried to refute. "At no time were sources or methods discussed." The reporting never mentioned Trump revealing the sources or methods. That's a classic Red Herring. Additionally, the Washington Post reporters vetted the reporting directly with Administration and/or Intelligence officials who specifically requested that the newspaper not publish certain specific details on account of national security. They wouldn't do that unless the reporting was correct. The Editorial board wouldn't give the green light to publish this story unless multiple reliable sources confirmed the reporting.

Went ahead and took the plunge. I suppose it's as good as time as any to cord-cut my DirectTV. At least I'll do that when the NBA Playoffs are over.

I guess that was the Kelly Olynyk Game.

Technically, wouldn't this be Trump team collusion with the Russian government? But hey, he's POTUS and as such can declassify and reveal whatever Intel he wants.

I suppose my takeaway is that you like Buicks as much as I like Stephen Curry jump shots.

This is has the potential of being the greatest Politics thread in WOT history. My preference for FBI Director would be someone who has never been a political appointee. Either keep McCabe, or promote internally with another Deputy or Assistant Director for the top spot Go with a well-respected career AUSA prosecutor. Find the best Criminal Division Chief amongst all the USAO Districts Definitely what not to do: Appoint a politician Appoint a Sheriff. Especially not one from Milwaukee.

Pop is now 316-1 all time when his team is up, leading by 25.

Many voters aren't quite as dogmatic in their beliefs as some of us who frequent the Way Off-Topic political threads. To be fair, I've had evolving opinions and stances over the years and despite being a Democrat all my adult life, I grew up in a Republican household and have voted for Republican candidates in various offices and leaned right in some ballot initiatives. As much as I care about issues, I'm less policy-inclined and place more faith in democratic institutions and norms. Yes, I'm an institutionalist and establishment Democrat. I once took an oath to do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.” I certainly take that more seriously than the Pledge of Allegiance. I see Donald Trump and the Kremlin as threats to the Constitution and our democratic institutions. What am I going to do about? Not much, but I'll occasionally post here.

That demo really looks promising. Certainly prettier than Shadowrun.

So you support hostile Russian activity in undermining American democracy over the free excercise thereof of the press? Glad to know where you stand as an American.

What are the facts? There were two hacking entities known by US Intelligence to have explicit ties to the Kremlin engaged in cyber-attacks targeting the DNC and RNC. Selected documents with a clear preference for one party over the other are then sent to and released by WikiLeaks and other entities that are opposed to establishment interests. The Russian Government also employs a propaganda army of internet trolls and media influencers to engage in information warfare promoting certain candidates and positions that are seen as being more friendly to Russian government interests, while at the same time attacking candidates and supporters in opposition. Where's Oby, btw? I miss that guy. Via the use of hard and soft power, the Kremlin's goal is to disrupt and destabilize adversarial powers that are against the interest of Putin's Russia, i.e., The USA, NATO, and the EU. Exactly how much influence the Kremlin was able to achieve is difficult to quantify, but their actions certainly helped put Brexit and Trump over the top, and helped the National Front in France gain significant traction. If you haven’t done so, read this. https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICA_2017_01.pdf Excerpt: KEY JUDGMENTS Russian efforts to influence the 2016 US presidential election represent the most recent expression of Moscow’s longstanding desire to undermine the US-led liberal democratic order, but these activities demonstrated a significant escalation in directness, level of activity, and scope of effort compared to previous operations. We assess Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign in 2016 aimed at the US presidential election. Russia’s goals were to undermine public faith in the US democratic process, denigrate Secretary Clinton, and harm her electability and potential presidency. We further assess Putin and the Russian Government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump. We have high confidence in these judgments. · We also assess Putin and the Russian Government aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him. All three agencies agree with this judgment. CIA and FBI have high confidence in this judgment; NSA has moderate confidence. · Moscow’s approach evolved over the course of the campaign based on Russia’s understanding of the electoral prospects of the two main candidates. When it appeared to Moscow that Secretary Clinton was likely to win the election, the Russian influence campaign began to focus more on undermining her future presidency. · Further information has come to light since Election Day that, when combined with Russian behavior since early November 2016, increases our confidence in our assessments of Russian motivations and goals. Moscow’s influence campaign followed a Russian messaging strategy that blends covert intelligence operations—such as cyber activity—with overt efforts by Russian Government agencies, state-funded media, third-party intermediaries, and paid social media users or “trolls.” Russia, like its Soviet predecessor, has a history of conducting covert influence campaigns focused on US presidential elections that have used intelligence officers and agents and press placements to disparage candidates perceived as hostile to the Kremlin. · Russia’s intelligence services conducted cyber operations against targets associated with the 2016 US presidential election, including targets associated with both major US political parties. · We assess with high confidence that Russian military intelligence (General Staff Main Intelligence Directorate or GRU) used the Guccifer 2.0 persona and DCLeaks.com to release US victim data obtained in cyber operations publicly and in exclusives to media outlets and relayed material to WikiLeaks. · Russian intelligence obtained and maintained access to elements of multiple US state or local electoral boards. DHS assesses that the types of systems Russian actors targeted or compromised were not involved in vote tallying. · Russia’s state-run propaganda machine contributed to the influence campaign by serving as a platform for Kremlin messaging to Russian and international audiences. We assess Moscow will apply lessons learned from its Putin-ordered campaign aimed at the US presidential election to future influence efforts worldwide, including against US allies and their election processes.

I don't think I, or the informed persons involved with the investigation have made the claim of Russia "stealing the election" or of hacking voting machines and the like. To quote DNI James Clapper's testimony:

Donald Trump fired the man who refused to pledge his loyalty while leading the agency investigating his campaign for impropriety and collusion with a foreign adversary that engaged in attacks on this country's election process. The standard of ethics as demonstrated by this Administration is beyond abnormal, even by the usual Washington dysfunction. This has the stench of Banana Republic-like authoritarianism. Except on the scale of World Superpower. To say that this is a non-story is ridiculous.

This is genius. Essentially a Season Ticket subscription for $20 a month. http://m.mlb.com/athletics/tickets/info/ballpark-pass

Over dinner, Trump demanded pledge of loyalty. Comey refused. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/us/politics/trump-comey-firing.html This is nuts.

White House: Removing Comey will help bring Russia investigation to end http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/11/politics/comey-fbi-investigation-russia-sarah-huckabee-sanders/ Well, atleast they admit it.

Howard Terminal has been my top choice for a new Oakland ballpark. It's next to Jack London Square, right on the waterfront with Imperial Walker cranes incorprated directly on the design. Problem is public transportation, Amtrak tracks, and environmental cleanup and approvals. Lake Merritt/Laney College will also be nice aesthetically and is close to BART. But the optics and politics will be tough for taking over community college property (sports > school). Both sites will have prime commercial and residential property sprouting up independently of the ballpark next to the proposed locations as well. Of course, it's great that this stadium project is privately financed, with the city and county chipping in the infrastructure costs with expected ROI on jobs, culture, and a revitalized urban scene.

This is pretty telling. 30 sources. Trump's got his work cut out for him if he wants to patch those leaks.