Thursday, August 16, 2018

Manafort defense offers short closing argument...

In another attempt to portrait the Government's case as weak, the Manafort defense closing arguments came in well short of the allotted time allowed.

The prosecution spent time talking about the raw number of documents and the raw number of witnesses that were brought forward. They apparently asked he jury to use their common sense. Manafort is "obviously" guilty and it's just a matter of convicting him.

The defense focused on the fact that the evidence was scattered and incomplete, and that most of the key witnesses you would have expected, never testified.

In one example, the defense brought up the fact (as it pertained to the fraudulent loan charges) that the prosecution provided testimony from several bank employees familiar with the loans, but not any testimony from the actual bank employees responsible for approving the loan.

The defense also asked the rhetorical question about why (if Manafort had really committed multiple felony counts of tax evasion) he was not audited by the IRS. They went even one step further in asking why Special Counsel decided to press criminal charges (and put the decision of legality in the hands of 12 jurors) rather than have the IRS actually do a full audit, and allow the IRS to bring whatever charges they uncovered.

I think the problem for Manafort is that the Prosecution had a lot of evidence. Possibly a matter of quantity over quality, but the massive amounts of documents and witnesses at least makes it appear that something simply had to have happened. Why otherwise, does this giant team of people call all of these witnesses and go through all of this trouble, if they have no case?

I think the problem for the prosecution is exactly what was brought up in closing. Why is Manafort not being charged (or fined) by the SEC for the banking charges and not being charged (or fined) the IRS for the tax problems. Why is this being thrust into this sort of criminal proceeding where rather than rely on the experts who understand the complicated documents, the prosecutors are relying on opinions of people around Manafort to convince 12 jurors (who are not supposedly banking or tax experts) to render a verdict. If I sat on this jury, that might be the biggest question. If he is so guilty, where is the SEC or IRS (and why did they not call SEC and IRS experts as witnesses).

But keeping in mind that Federal prosecutors garner guilty pleas in approximately 90% of their cases, the numbers appear to be against "anyone" who comes to these courts. Manafort is probably not feeling all that well (in spite of demanding the opposite).

88 comments:

Anonymous said...



Why is Manafort not being charged (or fined) by the SEC for the banking charges and not being charged (or fined) the IRS for the tax problems. Why is this being thrust into this sort of criminal proceeding where rather than rely on the experts who understand the complicated documents, the prosecutors are relying on opinions of people around Manafort to convince 12 jurors (who are not supposedly banking or tax experts) to render a verdict.


because ultimately this really doesn't have anything to do with manafort. this has everything to do with trump, and since they have nothing on trump this is a consolation prize for the deep state. plain and simple.

every point you made about the SEC and the IRS is completely logical and factual. the fact that our government would pull shit like this just because they're sore losers over an election is absolutely fucking chilling...


Commonsense said...

As far as the procecution's case is condered, there are a lot of A's B's and C's but there was nothing to connect them.

Though the defence's diversonary argument about the IRS never auditing and the SEC never procecuting was brilliant. If the object is to sow reasonable doubt then this will go a long way towards that.

Myballs said...

It'll depend on the politics of the jurors

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Wishful thinking.

Why otherwise, does this giant team of people call all of these witnesses and go through all of this trouble, if they have no case?

He evaded taxes and borrowed money on fraudulent basis.

Loretta said...

"He evaded taxes and borrowed money on fraudulent basis."

Which could have been addressed with an IRS audit.

Anonymous said...

Hung jury, will they retry?

C.H. Truth said...

He evaded taxes and borrowed money on fraudulent basis.

Well good for you Roger!

You can pay attention to what he was accused of?

The question (which you failed to answer) is if he didn't pay his taxes, and if her defrauded a bank... why didn't the IRS or SEC get involved... at least to provide expert testimony in this particular trial?

Why (if these crimes are so obvious) do you rely on the accounts of an Accountant (who never associated with Manafort) or bank employees who had nothing to do with the approval process?

One would think the Special Counsel could have called up a couple of expert witnesses from the IRS and SEC to have them explain to the jury why it was a crime?

C.H. Truth said...

The point Roger...

and you appear to be missing it.

What if... the SEC and IRS didn't get involved because there "technically" isn't much of a "there there" - but if you put the charges out there to a group of 12 people with no legal expertise in these manners, show that Manafort is a bad guy who wears coats that are too expensive...

That they might just see fit to convict him...

The point is that without SEC and IRS experts telling me this was a crime, I would serious ask myself (if I was on the jury) why "I" should be the one to say it is?

Loretta said...

"Hung jury,"

Huh? Where did you hear that?

C.H. Truth said...

I think it's a hypothetical. They just started deliberating today. Kind of hard to be hung already.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

William H. McRaven, a retired Navy admiral, was commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014. He oversaw the 2011 Navy SEAL raid in Pakistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

Dear Mr. President:

Former CIA director John Brennan, whose security clearance you revoked on Wednesday, is one of the finest public servants I have ever known. Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John. He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him.

Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.

Like most Americans, I had hoped that when you became president, you would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs.

A good leader tries to embody the best qualities of his or her organization. A good leader sets the example for others to follow. A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself.

0:41
‘Greatest threat to democracy’: Commander of bin Laden raid criticizes Trump in speech
Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities. Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation.

If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken. The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be.


S. Scott will call this American hero and a hypocrite.

Read more:

Greg Sargent: Trump’s punishment of Brennan is actually all about the Mueller probe

John Brennan: I will speak out until integrity returns to the White House.

caliphate4vr said...

Army Brig. Gen. Anthony Tata said former CIA director John Brennan is a “clear and present danger” to the United States and wants to “overthrow” President Donald Trump on Fox News Thursday.

Tata, who is now retired, said Brennan’s tweets disparaging Trump and calling for his removal are enough to revoke his security clearance.

“He spied on American citizens and lied in front of Congress about that spying,” Tata said on “Fox & Friends.” “Question 29 on the security clearance form says, you know, ‘have you ever supported overthrowing the U.S. Government?’ All of you got to look at Brennan’s tweets and he supports the removal of this president, and right there — that’s enough evidence to get rid of his clearance.”

C.H. Truth said...

Roger...

Couldn't care less about William H. McRaven nor do I shed a single tear for Brennan. Brennan is no longer a Government employee. He's a media consultant for cable news.

As a matter of logic, people in the press should not have security clearance. Why anyone would think it appropriate for an MSNBC analyst to be privy to national security secrets is beyond me. You'd have to be a moron to not see the problem.

btw... Brennan's piece the other day about Russian Trump collusion was laughable.

commie said...

Bodacious TaTa alleges on fox that

Brennan is a “clear and present danger” to the United States and wants to “overthrow” President Donald Trump on Fox News Thursday.

What a crock of horseshit.....opinions are like ass holes fat head....even you have one as stupid as that.....LOLOLOL!!!

I see mass panic from all the trump chumps....the noose is tightening

commie said...

He's a media consultant for cable news.

Doncha wish this slice of heaven had such notoriety??? Too bad faux news, breitbart...and the rest have the franchise....

people in the press should not have security clearance.

People in the press don't.. Only people who have need to know have clearances.....BTW....brennan's clearance was always conditional based on his need to be quickly accessed in case of emergency...He does not have access to any current intel on anything since he has no need to know....One of these days, you may learn WTF you are posting about, but I hold little hope that you will even understand this due to your irrational behavior and adoration of the chump potus...

Anonymous said...

He evaded taxes and borrowed money on fraudulent basis.


so what? at best this is an IRS & SEC issue. something worthy of a salty fine and no jail time.

bernie madoff he ain't, genius.


commie said...

S. Scott will call this American hero and a hypocrite.

LOL actually he said he don't give a shit.....Amazing he has no respect for real military people while adoring the non serving bone spur suffering asshole in chief...

Anonymous said...



William H. McRaven, a retired Navy admiral, was commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014.


if this guys is endorsing a known communist and someone known to have lied to congress, i'm am very glad that he is retired and no longer in charge of as much as a fucking row boat.

commie said...

if this guys is endorsing a known communist

Who, bernie sanders? Yeah, he's really a threat like putin....LOLOLOL At least he has some street creds....while you are nothing but an ag school drop out....sad, your opinion is limited to views here....the good Adm has a much wider audience....

Anonymous said...




by the way, if retired admiral mcfuckstick wants us to think him sincere, he can voluntarily relinquish his security clearance.

of course, that might stop the checks coming from the amazon post and MSDNC.

commie said...

For those who think fox reports the news....sad very sad!


Politics
Fox News’s Ainsley Earhardt praises US victory over ‘communist Japan’
The Hill 6 hours ago

Fox News host Ainsley Earhardt incorrectly said Thursday that the U.S. defeated "communist Japan" in World War II as she defended America's greatness. "We defeated communist Japan," Earhardt said on "Fox & Friends," responding to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) saying America "was never that great" a day prior. Japan has never been communist and was under imperial rule during World War II

commie said...

he can voluntarily relinquish his security clearance.

Why? He probably doesn't have a current one....

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

“John Brennan is a stain on the Country, we deserve better than this.” Former Secret Service Agent and author of new book, “Spygate, the Attempted Sabotage of Donald J. Trump,” Dan Bongino. Thank you Dan, and good luck with the book!

Obstruction of justice. The firing was over the witch Hunt.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

A Fox News reporter said today.

"The dossier provided by the British spy was not the reason for the initiation of the investigations into the Russian intervention into the election. It was initiated by the meeting with Papdopolis and the Austrian diplomat. "

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

A military parade requested by U.S. President Donald Trump could cost more than $90 million, a U.S. official said, citing provisional planning figures, nearly three times an earlier White House estimate.

The official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the cost estimate of about $92 million had not yet been approved by Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and could still be changed and more options could be included. The parade is expected to take place in November

caliphate4vr said...

Obstruction of justice. The firing was over the witch Hunt.

Former President Barack Obama’s appointee, John Brennan, resigned as director of the CIA effective at noon Friday. The CIA’s deputy director also stepped down.

Read more here: https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article127731444.html#storylink=cpy

Idiot

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

"Trump's military parade could cost more than $90 million" - http://www.reuters.com/article/us-trump-military-parade/trumps-military-parade-could-cost-more-than-90-million-idUSKBN1L1293

Anonymous said...

Jury sent Four questions to the Judge.
Normally means they are either a "Hung Jury" or they are looking to convict, but on lesser charges.

Anonymous said...

Did she also praise how the nation came together after the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

Anonymous said...

Cali, giving the facts only blow up the tiny iq's of the Liberals here.

How in the world have they gotten so removed from reality?

caliphate4vr said...

And liver don’t forget as station chief in The Magic Kingdom. Brennan missed the plot to blow the Khobar Towers

caliphate4vr said...

How in the world have they gotten so removed from reality?

It’s an alternate reality

Loretta said...

Beats sending billions of dollars to Iran

Anonymous said...

Has to be. The US Economy is Stronger then ever under the Mistake. Yet, all they see is gloom.

Anonymous said...

I just wasted 30 seconds and went to CNN. What a pure white HATE Site.

commie said...

Brennan missed the plot to blow the Khobar Towers


Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) commented during a Senate intelligence committee meeting by saying "there was no intelligence failure ... there had been more than 100 intelligence reports on alerts of a general nature, and very specific reports" of an extant and present threat to the Khobar Towers complex.

So much for Paulies lie about brennen.....asshole

Anonymous said...

This to me is the very best news I have read this Month.

"Many Venezuelans are now facing the prospect of lack of access to clean water, a crisis affecting everything from people’s homes to public hospitals, a report from Reuters detailed on Wednesday.
At the Central Venezuelan University hospital, once renowned across Latin America, many appointments, clinics, and operations have been canceled as a result of water shortages. Many of the hospital’s bathrooms are closed, while patients are forced to use a tiny tap on the ground floor providing just a trickle of water."

Good.

Loretta said...

"Obama should fire John Brennan"

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2014/07/31/obama-should-fire-john-brennan/?utm_term=.c52476ec88a7

Commonsense said...

Manafort's conviction is not the slame dunk Rogers thinks it is. In fact it pretty much an even-odds pickum bet.

Anonymous said...

Well, maybe for the first time in Alky's life he will get one right.

Anonymous said...

Last year of "The Mistake" Presidency he did 10's of Billions of dollars in AG Exports then 2017 or so far in 2018.

He is always wrong.

Anonymous said...

Ette, T STORM watches tonight.

What did obama actually do?
Really?
What a Historic Mistake.

Oh yeah, so called environmentalist Obimbo is cutting down trees at his little library . He promised he would not cut them down. So now, If you like trees you can keep your trees.

Commonsense said...

One thing we do know. Jurors who are absolutly sure of Manafort's guilt wouldn't be asking the judge for a definition of reasonable doubt.

They also requested that the evidence be organized by charge. (It was denied) It's an unusual request that indicates the jurors are having diffuculity realating the evidence of the charges.

The prosecution's strategy of putting up a smoke screen over Manafort's wealth may well have backfired.

Anonymous said...

IF convicted, IF, it still has exactly nothing to do with Trump.

caliphate4vr said...

Urena misses one start after intentionally hitting an up coming stud? And the Marlins are awful

Anonymous said...

Head of the DNC Keith Ellison.
""He looked at me, goes 'Hey you f***ing hear me … and then he looked at me, he goes 'Bitch, get the f*** out of my house,' and he started to try to drag me off the bed," Monahan said. "That's when I put my camera on to video him."

Gets a pass because he is a Democrat.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

The President completely reversed the statement issued on Tuesday when he withdrew the security clearance for John Brennan, where they said it was his irrational and irresponsible outbursts. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal he stat4ed clearly that his involvement in the investigation into the Russian intervention into the election, the "Witch Hunt".

Trump drew a direct connection between the special counsel investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election and his decision to revoke the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan and review the clearances of several other former officials.

In an interview Wednesday, Mr. Trump cited Mr. Brennan as among those he held responsible for the investigation, which also is looking into whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin.


The more he speaks out in panic, he's looking more an more like Nixon in 74.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

The president’s decision to follow through on his threats to revoke Mr. Brennan’s security clearance, they said, sent a shudder through the spies and intelligence officials he used to lead.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/16/us/politics/donald-trump-russia-presidential-power.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

The people who risk their lives daily are no longer being lead by the President.

He's seriously considering revoking the clearances of others in his desperate attempt to distract attention from Amarosa.

“Mr. Trump clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him, which is why he made the politically motivated decision to revoke my security clearance in an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him,” Mr. Brennan wrote in an opinion article in The New York Times. He said the move made it more important than ever for the special counsel in the Russia inquiry, Robert S. Mueller III, to complete his investigation.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

STATEMENT BY FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS
The undersigned individuals have all served in senior national security
and/or foreign policy positions in Republican Administrations, from
Richard Nixon to George W. Bush. We have worked directly on
national security issues with these Republican Presidents and/or their
principal advisers during wartime and other periods of crisis, through
successes and failures. We know the personal qualities required of a
President of the United States.
None of us will vote for Donald Trump.
From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be
President and Commander-in-Chief. Indeed, we are convinced that he
would be a dangerous President and would put at risk our country’s
national security and well-being.
Most fundamentally, Mr. Trump lacks the character, values, and
experience to be President. He weakens U.S. moral authority as the
leader of the free world. He appears to lack basic knowledge about and
belief in the U.S. Constitution, U.S. laws, and U.S. institutions,
including religious tolerance, freedom of the press, and an independent
judiciary.
In addition, Mr. Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he has little
understanding of America’s vital national interests, its complex
diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances, and the democratic
values on which U.S. foreign policy must be based. At the same time,
he persistently compliments our adversaries and threatens our allies and
friends. Unlike previous Presidents who had limited experience in
foreign affairs, Mr. Trump has shown no interest in educating
himself. He continues to display an alarming ignorance of basic facts of
contemporary international politics. Despite his lack of knowledge, Mr.
Trump claims that he understands foreign affairs and “knows more
about ISIS than the generals do.”

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Mr. Trump lacks the temperament to be President. In our experience, a
President must be willing to listen to his advisers and department heads;
must encourage consideration of conflicting views; and must
acknowledge errors and learn from them. A President must be
disciplined, control emotions, and act only after reflection and careful
deliberation. A President must maintain cordial relationships with
leaders of countries of different backgrounds and must have their respect
and trust.
In our judgment, Mr. Trump has none of these critical qualities. He is
unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood. He does not
encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts
impetuously. He cannot tolerate personal criticism. He has alarmed our
closest allies with his erratic behavior. All of these are dangerous
qualities in an individual who aspires to be President and Commander-
in-Chief, with command of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
We understand that many Americans are profoundly frustrated with the
federal government and its inability to solve pressing domestic and
international problems. We also know that many have doubts about
Hillary Clinton, as do many of us. But Donald Trump is not the answer
to America’s daunting challenges and to this crucial election. We are
convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless
President in American history.
Donald B. Ayer
Former Deputy Attorney General
John B. Bellinger III
Former Legal Adviser to the Department of State; former Legal Adviser
to the National Security Council, The White House.

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Robert Blackwill
Former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Planning, The
White House
Michael Chertoff
Former Secretary of Homeland Security; former Assistant Attorney
General for the Criminal Division, Department of Justice
Eliot A. Cohen
Former Counselor of the Department of State
Eric Edelman
Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; former National Security
Advisor to the Vice President, The White House
Gary Edson
Former Deputy National Security Advisor, The White House
Richard Falkenrath
Former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, The White House
Peter Feaver
Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning, National Security
Council, The White House
Richard Fontaine
Former Associate Director for Near East Affairs, National Security
Council, The White House
Jendayi Frazer
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
African Affairs; former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

Aaron Friedberg
Former Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President, The
White House
David Gordon
Former Director of Policy Planning, Department of State
Michael Green
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asia,
National Security Council, The White House
Brian Gunderson
Former Chief of Staff, Department of State
Paul Haenle
Former Director for China and Taiwan, National Security Council, The
White House
Michael Hayden
Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency; former Director, National
Security Agency
Carla A. Hills
Former U.S. Trade Representative
John Hillen
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
William Inboden
Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning, National Security
Council, The White House

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Reuben Jeffery III
Former Under Secretary of State for Economic Energy and Agricultural
Affairs; former Special Assistant to the President for International
Economic Affairs, National Security Council, The White House
James Jeffrey
Former Deputy National Security Advisor, The White House
Ted Kassinger
Former Deputy Secretary of Commerce
David Kramer
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and
Labor
James Langdon
Former Chairman, President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, The
White House
Peter Lichtenbaum
Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration
Mary Beth Long
Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
Clay Lowery
Former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs;
former Director for International Finance, National Security Council,
The White House
Robert McCallum
Former Associate Attorney General; former Ambassador to Australia

Richard Miles
Former Director for North America, National Security Council, The
White House
Andrew Natsios
Former Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development
John Negroponte
Former Director of National Intelligence; former Deputy Secretary of
State; former Deputy National Security Advisor
Meghan O’Sullivan
Former Deputy National Security Advisor for Iraq and Afghanistan
Dan Price
Former Deputy National Security Advisor
Tom Ridge
Former Secretary of Homeland Security; former Assistant to the
President for Homeland Security, The White House; former Governor of
Pennsylvania
Nicholas Rostow
Former Legal Adviser to the National Security Council, The White
House
Kori Schake
Former Director for Defense Strategy, National Security Council, The
White House
Kristen Silverberg
Former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...


Stephen Slick
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
Intelligence Programs, National Security Council, The White House
Shirin R. Tahir-Kheli
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations, National
Security Council, The White House; former Ambassador and Senior
Advisor for Women’s Empowerment, Department of State
William H. Taft IV
Former Deputy Secretary of Defense; former Ambassador to NATO
Larry D. Thompson
Former Deputy Attorney General
William Tobey
Former Deputy Administrator, National Nuclear Security
Administration, Department of Energy; former Director for Counter-
Proliferation Strategy, National Security Council, The White House
John Veroneau
Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Kenneth Wainstein
Former Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and
Counterterrorism, The White House; former Assistant Attorney General
for National Security, Department of Justice
Matthew Waxman
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense; former Director for
Contingency Planning and International Justice, National Security
Council, The White House
Dov Zakheim
Former Under Secretary of Defense
Roger Zakheim
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
Philip Zelikow
Former Counselor of the Department of State
Robert Zoellick
Former U.S. Trade Representative; former Deputy Secretary of State

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

The undersigned individuals have all served in senior national security
and/or foreign policy positions in Republican Administrations, from
Richard Nixon to George W. Bush. We have worked directly on
national security issues with these Republican Presidents and/or their
principal advisers during wartime and other periods of crisis, through
successes and failures. We know the personal qualities required of a
President of the United States.
None of us will vote for Donald Trump.
From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be
President and Commander-in-Chief.


Republicans are again patriotic instead of blind minded Republicans who are attempting to turn this country into a banana republic dictatorship.

Starring Donald J. Trump

Roger Amick said...

STATEMENT BY FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY OFFICIALS
The undersigned individuals have all served in senior national security
and/or foreign policy positions in Republican Administrations, from
Richard Nixon to George W. Bush. We have worked directly on
national security issues with these Republican Presidents and/or their
principal advisers during wartime and other periods of crisis, through
successes and failures. We know the personal qualities required of a
President of the United States.
None of us will vote for Donald Trump.
From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be
President and Commander-in-Chief. Indeed, we are convinced that he
would be a dangerous President and would put at risk our country’s
national security and well-being.
Most fundamentally, Mr. Trump lacks the character, values, and
experience to be President. He weakens U.S. moral authority as the
leader of the free world. He appears to lack basic knowledge about and
belief in the U.S. Constitution, U.S. laws, and U.S. institutions,
including religious tolerance, freedom of the press, and an independent
judiciary.
In addition, Mr. Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he has little
understanding of America’s vital national interests, its complex
diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances, and the democratic
values on which U.S. foreign policy must be based. At the same time,
he persistently compliments our adversaries and threatens our allies and
friends. Unlike previous Presidents who had limited experience in
foreign affairs, Mr. Trump has shown no interest in educating
himself. He continues to display an alarming ignorance of basic facts of
contemporary international politics. Despite his lack of knowledge, Mr.
Trump claims that he understands foreign affairs and “knows more
about ISIS than the generals do

Roger Amick said...

Mr. Trump lacks the temperament to be President. In our experience, a
President must be willing to listen to his advisers and department heads;
must encourage consideration of conflicting views; and must
acknowledge errors and learn from them. A President must be
disciplined, control emotions, and act only after reflection and careful
deliberation. A President must maintain cordial relationships with
leaders of countries of different backgrounds and must have their respect
and trust.
In our judgment, Mr. Trump has none of these critical qualities. He is
unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood. He does not
encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts
impetuously. He cannot tolerate personal criticism. He has alarmed our
closest allies with his erratic behavior. All of these are dangerous
qualities in an individual who aspires to be President and Commander-
in-Chief, with command of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
We understand that many Americans are profoundly frustrated with the
federal government and its inability to solve pressing domestic and
international problems. We also know that many have doubts about
Hillary Clinton, as do many of us. But Donald Trump is not the answer
to America’s daunting challenges and to this crucial election. We are
convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless
President in American history.
Donald B. Ayer
Former Deputy Attorney General
John B. Bellinger III
Former Legal Adviser to the Department of State; former Legal Adviser
to the National Security Council, The White House.

Roger Amick said...

Robert Blackwill
Former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Planning, The
White House
Michael Chertoff
Former Secretary of Homeland Security; former Assistant Attorney
General for the Criminal Division, Department of Justice
Eliot A. Cohen
Former Counselor of the Department of State
Eric Edelman
Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; former National Security
Advisor to the Vice President, The White House
Gary Edson
Former Deputy National Security Advisor, The White House
Richard Falkenrath
Former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor, The White House
Peter Feaver
Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning, National Security
Council, The White House
Richard Fontaine
Former Associate Director for Near East Affairs, National Security
Council, The White House
Jendayi Frazer
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
African Affairs; former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

Aaron Friedberg
Former Deputy National Security Advisor to the Vice President, The
White House
David Gordon
Former Director of Policy Planning, Department of State
Michael Green
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asia,
National Security Council, The White House
Brian Gunderson
Former Chief of Staff, Department of State
Paul Haenle
Former Director for China and Taiwan, National Security Council, The
White House
Michael Hayden
Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency; former Director, National
Security Agency
Carla A. Hills
Former U.S. Trade Representative
John Hillen
Former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs
William Inboden
Former Senior Director for Strategic Planning, National Security
Council, The White House

Roger Amick said...

Stephen Slick
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
Intelligence Programs, National Security Council, The White House
Shirin R. Tahir-Kheli
Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for
Democracy, Human Rights and International Operations, National
Security Council, The White House; former Ambassador and Senior
Advisor for Women’s Empowerment, Department of State
William H. Taft IV
Former Deputy Secretary of Defense; former Ambassador to NATO
Larry D. Thompson
Former Deputy Attorney General
William Tobey
Former Deputy Administrator, National Nuclear Security
Administration, Department of Energy; former Director for Counter-
Proliferation Strategy, National Security Council, The White House
John Veroneau
Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
Kenneth Wainstein
Former Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and
Counterterrorism, The White House; former Assistant Attorney General
for National Security, Department of Justice
Matthew Waxman
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense; former Director for
Contingency Planning and International Justice, National Security
Council, The White House
Dov Zakheim
Former Under Secretary of Defense
Roger Zakheim
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
Philip Zelikow
Former Counselor of the Department of State
Robert Zoellick
Former U.S. Trade Representative; former Deputy Secretary of State

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Twelve former senior intelligence officials, including 11 former CIA directors and deputy directors and one former director of national intelligence, have signed a letter of support for former CIA director John Brennan, calling the signal sent by the White House's decision to strip him of his security clearance "inappropriate" and "deeply regrettable."

"We feel compelled to respond in the wake of the ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions by the White House," the senior officials wrote. "We know John to be an enormously talented, capable and patriotic individual who devoted his entire adult life to the service of this nation."

The letter's signees include former Directors of Central Intelligence William Webster, George Tenet and Porter Goss; former CIA directors Gen. Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta and Gen. David Petraeus; former director of national intelligence James Clapper; and former deputy CIA directors John McLaughlin, Stephen Kappes, Avril Haines, David Cohen and Michael Morell, who is also a CBS News senior national security contributor.

Their letter is the latest swell in a chorus of disapproval from former senior national security officials, lawmakers and free speech advocates generated by the White House's decision, announced Wednesday by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, to revoke Brennan's clearance and thereby his access to classified information.

Once again, REPUBLICANS

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

In our judgment, Mr. Trump has none of these critical qualities. He is
unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood. He does not
encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts
impetuously. He cannot tolerate personal criticism. He has alarmed our
closest allies with his erratic behavior. All of these are dangerous
qualities in an individual who aspires to be President and Commander-
in-Chief, with command of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
We understand that many Americans are profoundly frustrated with the
federal government and its inability to solve pressing domestic and
international problems. We also know that many have doubts about
Hillary Clinton, as do many of us. But Donald Trump is not the answer
to America’s daunting challenges and to this crucial election. We are
convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless

Roger Amick said...

Twelve former senior intelligence officials, including 11 former CIA directors and deputy directors and one former director of national intelligence, have signed a letter of support for former CIA director John Brennan, calling the signal sent by the White House's decision to strip him of his security clearance "inappropriate" and "deeply regrettable."

"We feel compelled to respond in the wake of the ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions by the White House," the senior officials wrote. "We know John to be an enormously talented, capable and patriotic individual who devoted his entire adult life to the service of this nation."

The letter's signees include former Directors of Central Intelligence William Webster, George Tenet and Porter Goss; former CIA directors Gen. Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta and Gen. David Petraeus; former director of national intelligence James Clapper; and former deputy CIA directors John McLaughlin, Stephen Kappes, Avril Haines, David Cohen and Michael Morell, who is also a CBS News senior national security contributor.

Their letter is the latest swell in a chorus of disapproval from former senior national security officials, lawmakers and free speech advocates generated by the White House's decision, announced Wednesday by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, to revoke Brennan's clearance and thereby his access to classified information.

Once again, REPUBLICANS

Roger Amick said...

In our judgment, Mr. Trump has none of these critical qualities. He is
unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood. He does not
encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts
impetuously. He cannot tolerate personal criticism. He has alarmed our
closest allies with his erratic behavior. All of these are dangerous
qualities in an individual who aspires to be President and Commander-
in-Chief, with command of the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
We understand that many Americans are profoundly frustrated with the
federal government and its inability to solve pressing domestic and
international problems. We also know that many have doubts about
Hillary Clinton, as do many of us. But Donald Trump is not the answer
to America’s daunting challenges and to this crucial election. We are
convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless

Anonymous said...

https://www.guns.com/2016/08/09/51-senior-officials-call-trump-presidency-dangerous/

..........2016..........

Anonymous said...

Roger, ty, funny ass stuff to start my day.

Commonsense said...

Their judgement is the chief reason why they are "former" instead of "current" intelligence officers.

Anonymous said...




this is why you no longer have posting privileges alky.

you destroy every thread like you destroyed your first liver.


Anonymous said...



Statement from Senate Intel Chairman Richard Burr on Comments by Former CIA Director John Brennan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on comments made in The New York Times by former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John Brennan:

“Director Brennan’s recent statements purport to know as fact that the Trump campaign colluded with a foreign power. If Director Brennan’s statement is based on intelligence he received while still leading the CIA, why didn’t he include it in the Intelligence Community Assessment released in 2017? If his statement is based on intelligence he has seen since leaving office, it constitutes an intelligence breach. If he has some other personal knowledge of or evidence of collusion, it should be disclosed to the Special Counsel, not The New York Times.

“If, however, Director Brennan’s statement is purely political and based on conjecture, the president has full authority to revoke his security clearance as head of the Executive Branch.”


https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/statement-from-senate-intel-chairman-richard-burr-on-comments-by-former-cia-director-john-brennan-


LOL -

" If he has some other personal knowledge of or evidence of collusion, it should be disclosed to the Special Counsel, not The New York Times."







Anonymous said...




and lord knows the alky excels at looking like an idiot:

However, defence secretary James Mattis has rubbished the reports, suggesting whoever claimed the parade was set to cost upwards of $90m was “probably smoking something.”

“I'm not dignifying that number with a reply,” the Pentagon chief told reporters while travelling to the Colombian capital Bogota.

“I would discount that, and anybody who said it, I'll almost guarantee you one thing: They probably said, 'I need to stay anonymous.' No kidding, because you look like an idiot.

“And number two, whoever wrote it needs to get better sources. I'll just leave it at that.”


https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-apos-military-parade-delayed-082924048.html


Myballs said...

Too bad the dems rigger their nominating process so that the most corrupt and unlikable presidential candidate in history was handed the nomination. This is why Trump is president. It's not because everyone loved Trump. Its because many blue collar dems Obama voters couldn't stand Hillary.

I do think Bernie might have won vs trump.

commie said...

if statement is purely political and based on conjecture,

Another big if from the same guy who hates anonymous sources....LOLOLOL Trump the tyrant thinking dissent needs to be addressed by threats....nice....

Myballs said...

Keith Ellison accused...ABC ignores

Koback wins KS gov primary...ABC ignores after bashing him before the vote

Gov Cuomo says US was never great... ABC ignores

Isis member enters US as refugee, is apprehended... ABC ignores

But let stormy, omarosa, Cohen, avanetti, Brennan, clapper or coney bash trump, ABC is all over it.

This is why no one believes them anymore.

Anonymous said...



don't forget jim jordan and the ohio state wrestling hoax. that received wall to wall coverage until the accuser admitted he lied.

then "poof" down the memory hole.

James said...

CH
Honestly, not really all that surprising that Manafort would not make a defense. The concept (psychologically) is that there is no "need" for a defense, since the prosecution fell flat.
____________________________

James
Actually, why should they bother to mount a defense if they've been promised a pardon?

Commonsense said...

don't forget jim jordan and the ohio state wrestling hoax. that received wall to wall coverage until the accuser admitted he lied.
then "poof" down the memory hole.


They excel at slandering Republicans. Correcting the record when they are proven wrong? Not so much.

Anonymous said...



this is nothing short of absolutely fucking amazing -

Warren’s proposal is dishonestly called the “Accountable Capitalism Act.” Accountable to whom? you might ask. That’s a reasonable question. The answer is — as it always is — accountable to politicians, who desire to put the assets and productivity of private businesses under political discipline for their own selfish ends. It is remarkable that people who are most keenly attuned to the self-interest of CEOs and shareholders and the ways in which that self-interest influences their decisions apparently believe that members of the House, senators, presidents, regulators, Cabinet secretaries, and agency chiefs somehow are liberated from self-interest when they take office through some kind of miracle of transcendence.

Under Senator Warren’s proposal, no business with more than $1 billion in revenue would be permitted to legally operate without permission from the federal government. The federal government would then dictate to these businesses the composition of their boards, the details of internal corporate governance, compensation practices, personnel policies, and much more. Naturally, their political activities would be restricted, too. Senator Warren’s proposal entails the wholesale expropriation of private enterprise in the United States, and nothing less. It is unconstitutional, unethical, immoral, irresponsible, and — not to put too fine a point on it — utterly bonkers.

It is also cynical. Senator Warren is many things: a crass opportunist, intellectually bankrupt, personally vapid, a peddler of witless self-help books, etc. But she is not stupid. She knows that this is a go-nowhere proposition, that she will be spared by the Republican legislative majority from the ignominy that would ensue from the wholehearted pursuit of this daft program. It is in reality only a means of staking out for purely strategic reasons the most radical corner for her 2020 run at the Democratic presidential nomination. The Democratic party in 2018, like the Republican primary electorate in 2016, is out for blood and desirous of confrontation. So Senator Warren is running this red flag up the flagpole to see who salutes.

To propose such a thing for sincere reasons would be ghastly stupidity. To propose this program for narrowly self-serving political reasons is the sort of thing that would end a political career in a sane and self-respecting state, which Massachusetts plainly is not and has not been for some time.



https://www.nationalreview.com/2018/08/elizabeth-warren-plan-nationalize-everything-woos-hard-left/


https://www.warren.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/warren-introduces-accountable-capitalism-act


Anonymous said...

Lol, Omg Please keep shrill yellling.

commie said...

Another source claiming 92 million waste of tax payer money for trumps fatassed ego....from ny daily news...yep...he cancelled the parade he demands....such a douche nozzle..

President Trump takes credit for canceling costly military parade he proposed
President Trump claims he canceled large-scale military parade in Washington citing "ridiculously high" costs. (Hans Pennink / AP)

President Trump claimed Friday that sticker shock led to the scrapping of his much maligned military parade.
Trump accused local Washington politicians of price gouging, despite the fact that the jaw-dropping projected $92 million cost was largely due to Pentagon figures for aircraft, equipment and personnel.


i
The President tweeted “maybe we will do something next year when the cost comes WAY DOWN.”
The claim comes hours after the Defense Department had already said the parade wouldn't happen this year.
Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, said Thursday that the military and the White House "have now agreed to explore opportunities in 2019."
On Thursday, The Associated Press and CNBC reported the parade would cost about $92 million — $80 million more than the price first suggested by the Trump administration.
A majority of the taxpayer funds, roughly $50 million would cover costs for aircraft, tanks, transportation and personnel for the Nov. 11 spectacle.
D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser responded to Trump’s finger-pointing tweets.

commie said...

Another gaggle of polls.....sure seems ominous for the R's if you ask me


ursday, August 16
Race/Topic (Click to Sort) Poll Results Spread
2018 Generic Congressional Vote Pew Research Democrats 46, Republicans 39 Democrats +7
2018 Generic Congressional Vote Reuters/Ipsos Democrats 45, Republicans 36 Democrats +9
President Trump Job Approval Rasmussen Reports Approve 49, Disapprove 50 Disapprove +1
President Trump Job Approval Reuters/Ipsos Approve 44, Disapprove 52 Disapprove +8
Congressional Job Approval Reuters/Ipsos Approve 27, Disapprove 65 Disapprove +38
Direction of Country Reuters/Ipsos Right Direction 37, Wrong Track 54 Wrong Track +17

cowardly king obama said...

Here's a breakdown of the registered voters from lo iq commies "Latest gaggle of polls" pertaining to Reuters/Ipsos. Maybe even he can spot the weaknesses (well probably not)

1,860 registered voters, 831 Democrats, 746 Republicans, and 190 Independents ages 18+ were interviewed online.

The credibility interval (margin of error) is 8.1 percentage points for Independents.

Still Trumps approval at 44% was up over the 39-43% range over the last few weeks on that poll

THANKS lo iq commie

ROFLMFAO !!!

commie said...

Maybe even he can spot the weaknesses (well probably not)

That you are a flaming asshole....hard to miss.....LOL Why don't you share your knowledge on what the sampling error you think is there. I am sure to be entertained with your stupidity....asshole...

cowardly king obama said...

I see lo iq commie can cut-n-paste but can't offer a factual response.

Do you really think Independents should be such a low percentage ?

Do you really trust online polls ?

Do you think 8.1 % is a reasonable margin of error in a poll ?

You couldn't even spot those simple and obvious weaknesses ?

That's why you are lo iq commie, but keep slurping.

ROFLMFAO !!!

commie said...


Do you think 8.1 % is a reasonable margin of error in a poll ?

Wow.....a high number does not invalidate a poll....does it?

I am impressed with your pointing out the obvious....take a gander at the rassmussne data and then explain why it is such an outsider??// Too funny even for a flaming asshole like yourself...how's trumps dick taste????

cowardly king obama said...

lo iq commie said how's trumps dick taste????

I see how you do your judging but normal folks look at facts and don't use your method.

lo iq commie, guess you have no other means.

And you obviously have no understanding of basic stats (that's short for statistics).

ROFLMFAO !!!

Coldheartedtruth Teller said...

Twelve former senior intelligence officials, including 11 former CIA directors and deputy directors and one former director of national intelligence, have signed a letter of support for former CIA director John Brennan, calling the signal sent by the White House's decision to strip him of his security clearance "inappropriate" and "deeply regrettable."

"We feel compelled to respond in the wake of the ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions by the White House," the senior officials wrote. "We know John to be an enormously talented, capable and patriotic individual who devoted his entire adult life to the service of this nation."

The letter's signees include former Directors of Central Intelligence William Webster, George Tenet and Porter Goss; former CIA directors Gen. Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta and Gen. David Petraeus; former director of national intelligence James Clapper; and former deputy CIA directors John McLaughlin, Stephen Kappes, Avril Haines, David Cohen and Michael Morell, who is also a CBS News senior national security contributor.

Their letter is the latest swell in a chorus of disapproval from former senior national security officials, lawmakers and free speech advocates generated by the White House's decision, announced Wednesday by White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, to revoke Brennan's clearance and thereby his access to classified information.

Once again, REPUBLICANS

Traitors per the twit .

cowardly king obama said...

Didn't Petraeus lose his security clearance himself and at least Clapper, Morell and probably Tenet should also.

Looks very partisan and desperate by Democrats and the DEEP STATE

AND VERY MUCH *** TDS ***

Let's see if lo iq commie chips in with how all their dicks taste

ROFLMFAO !!!


Anonymous said...

Blogger Roger Amick said...
Twelve former senior intelligence officials, including 11 former CIA directors and deputy directors and one former director of national intelligence, have signed a letter of support for former CIA director John Brennan, calling the signal sent by the White House's decision to strip him of his security clearance "inappropriate" and "deeply regrettable."



you know alky, this is one of those things about you asshole liberals that i find most entertaining.

every single signatory to that letter, with the exception of clapper, is a sworn enemy to liberals. yet suddenly in the blink of an eye, they offer some intrinsic political value and liberals hit their knees and offer to fellate their new-found heroes over an empty and meaningless political gesture.

Anonymous said...

Did the co-pres. Billy fire like 100 Federal Lawyers when they took office?

Anonymous said...

Wow.....a high number does not invalidate a poll....does it?"

Well, votes do.