Leferd

Behind Comey’s firing: An enraged Trump, fuming about Russia http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/10/comey-firing-trump-russia-238192 (Trump) had grown enraged by the Russia investigation, two advisers said, frustrated by his inability to control the mushrooming narrative around Russia. He repeatedly asked aides why the Russia investigation wouldn’t disappear and demanded they speak out for him. He would sometimes scream at television clips about the probe, one adviser said... Trump had grown angry with the Russia investigation — particularly Comey admitting in front of the Senate that the FBI was investigating his campaign — and that the FBI director wouldn't support his claims that President Barack Obama had tapped his phones in Trump Tower... But several other people familiar with the events said Trump had talked about the firing for over a week, and the letters were written to give him rationale to fire Comey... While shock dominated much of the FBI and the White House, the mood was more elated at Roger Stone's house in Florida. Several Stone allies and friends said Stone, who has been frequently mentioned in the investigation, encouraged the president to fire Comey in conversations in recent weeks. On Twitter, Stone signaled praise for the move by posting an image of Trump from The Apprentice saying "You're fired." Stone declined to comment Tuesday night but said he was enjoying a fine cigar.

Sorry to hear. And Stranger Things seem thematically appropriate considering what's going on.

http://forums.obsidian.net/topic/92340-politics-2017-part-v/?p=1911164

To be honest, I don't think Bill and Hillary have shared a bed since leaving the White House.

Comey screwed Clinton, and had missteps along the way, but most people in government at least respected his integrity and independence from politics. Waiting on the following names to be leaked for the vacancy: Guiliani Christie Kushner. Kidding/Not kidding.

This is insane. And the optics aren't right. Need an independent commission or special prosecutor to investigate Trump.

If you don't see this trend as one and the same... Indonesia is culturally, ethnically, and religiously diverse. Its constitution and government is nominally secular. The national motto is translated as "Unity in Diversity." Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world by population --sandwiched between the US and Brazil. It's composed of hundreds of thousands of islands with hundreds of languages and dialects spread across three thousand miles East to West among hundreds of ethnicities. Its national language is essentially a conglang invented to serve as a middle ground. 85% Islam, 10% Christian, maybe 2% Hindu and Buddhists and the rest composed of other religions. That said, hardline Islamists have been gaining power and influence since the fall of Suharto in the late 90's. Suharto was a secular authoritarian who ruled harshly but kept dissent in check and under control. What happened after Suharto was toppled? Mass riots and violence targeting the Christians and Chinese minorities. Not that the Chinese and Christians haven't been clean. They were strong supporters of Colonial Dutch rule for 300+ years - attaining ranks of privilege and wealth. A disproportionate number of the better educated, wealthiest Indonesians are Chinese and/or Christians. They own the most profitable businesses and control the banks. They sought protection from the most influential politicians and local police chiefs. They probably contributed to the corruption facing most politicians ---Chinese Christians don't have political power, but they had wealth -- and that kept them protected. Now we have hardline Islamist factions spreading nativist, nationalistic, Islamic propaganda and openly targeting the Chinese and Christian minorities -- as they are the OTHERS. Nevermind they've been in the country for more than 400 years. The current President is a popular moderate and ally of Governor Ahok, but even he couldn't swell the populist, Islamist mob that turned public opinion against Ahok (who was a popular and reformist anti-corruption champion) and ultimately led to his "blasphemy" conviction. His crime? For saying in a campaign rally that his opponents were misleading voters by saying the Quran prohibits Muslims from voting for non-Muslims. The court essentially ruled that it was indeed blasphemy for him to say that the Quran did not disallow Muslims to vote for non-Muslims. So this leads us back to this. Propagating dogmatic zealotry in a rising tide of nationalistic/nativist populism in a non-homogeneous country is bad. Mob majority rule at the expense of minority rights is very bad no matter where in the world.

Having spent some years there, that's reason number one million and two why being dogmatic about your own beliefs at the expense of tolerence of others and succumbing to populist nationalism is a very bad thing.

Reporting from the credible Eli Lake. https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-05-08/washington-loves-general-mcmaster-but-trump-doesn-t Trump is livid with McMaster for undermining him. In his doghouse.

Why is Kawhi Leonard the best basketball player in the planet? He is by my estimation: -Third best SF, behind LeBron and KD, and just ahead of Giannis. -Second best defender between Draymond and Gobert. -Shows very little variance in team performance when he is on the court vs off the court. -The Eyeball test reveals he is a great player, but LeBron, KD, Curry, Russ, and Harden look more impressive. -Traditional stats are very good but nothing spectacular. -Advanced Metrics like him but love others more. ...Is he the best two way player? Maybe. But his defensive value is not great enough to offset the better offensive production of the other superstars when you factor everything in the aggregate.

This is about the situation in the United States. I happen to have family via my sister-in-law, who are Assyrian Christians from Iraq. My family background also happen to be Christian minority from a Muslim majority country who immigrated to the US explicitly to escape ethnic and religious persecution. That's a big reason why I happen to enjoy living in the US - and at the same time advocate for the protection of minority rights against majority rule and discrimination. I got skin in the game - so to speak.

Warriors are slipping. They haven't covered the spread the last two games. The Boston and Washington series is fun. Getting a bit chippy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HKxv-Wj68w

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-identity-politics-of-the-trump-administration/ I, for one believe that Christians and Whites receive less discrimination than Muslims, Immigrants, Blacks, and the LGBT community.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4h3m7B4v6Zc Don't normally like superhero teamups, but sometimes it works.

Yeah, but still no singing candelabra.

I'll stand by that the V:TMB haunted hotel was my favorite piece of level design in a cRPG. That being said, doing something similar (and cool) probably won't work so well in a party based isometric perspective, with combat being a primary draw for the game.

Yep.

Bruce has it right. High end gentleman's club for those with discerning taste. Really get to know the young lady -- blow her away with your compassionate SJ feminism and win her heart. This time, she really, really likes you -- no fooling -- take her to your urban loft and together take turns playing the latest BioWare romance simulator to get the mood right.

Not seeing the Riker and Metallica mashup potential.

Keep everyone on the boat. Shore party is fluid and strictly situational.

Half the defense. Double the offense.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-04-19/silicon-valley-s-400-juicer-may-be-feeling-the-squeeze The $700 $400 juicer with $120 million venture capitalist funding outdone by a 100lb woman's hand-squeeze.

Aight. I'm on a boat to Waiters Island. https://www.theplayerstribune.com/dion-waiters-miami-heat-nba-is-lucky/ Well worth the read.

Never disappoints.