All things Trump + Russia Part 4 - Page 12

crescent · 21st August 2018, 03:01 PM

Christopher Steele’s Victory in a D.C. Court

Quote:

The author of the explosive dossier outlining the president’s alleged ties to Russia won an important legal victory on Monday, when a judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought against his firm by the co-founders of Russia’s largest private bank.

In his decision to toss the case “with prejudice”—that is, permanently—Judge Anthony C. Epstein of the Washington, D.C., Superior Court concluded that the author of the dossier, the former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, acted “in furtherance of the right of advocacy on issues of public interest” when he decided to brief reporters on the dossier’s findings in the summer of 2016. Steele’s conduct is therefore protected by “anti-slapp” statutes, according to the judge, which aim to halt lawsuits brought to chill the exercise of constitutionally protected free speech.

Sometimes good things come in threes. Manafort convicted, Cohen pleading guilty, and also this all in one day. We might just save ourselves after all.

Henri McPhee · 22nd August 2018, 08:12 AM

Putin has been quite open in his desire for Trump to be President rather than Clinton. There is no law against that. America interfered in Ukraine. All this Russiagate and Russiaphobia is way over the top. Much of it stems from the Assad must go policies of the past. As Putin has said in the past, not all Russian billionaires support Putin in the same way as billionaires like George Soros in America don't necessarily support Trump. I don't know exactly how much control the Russian GRU has over murdering Russians abroad.

There is an interesting analysis of Putin's attitude to Israel at this website, though I am not sure he appreciates that the Arabs consider Israel to be an alien state on Arab lands:

https://orientalreview.org/2018/05/1...emlin-website/

Quote:

Russia And America Put Aside Their Differences In Order To “Maintain Stable Cooperation…On Many Issues, Including The Southern De-Escalation Zone (In Syria), Where Israeli…Interests Are Also Present”:
“I have to note that other countries, including the United States, are greatly contributing; even though they are not participating in the talks in Astana directly, they are influencing these processes behind the scenes. We maintain stable cooperation with our American partners in this sphere, on this track, even though not without disputes. However, there are more positive than negative elements in our cooperation. So far, we have managed to agree on many issues, including the southern de-escalation zone, where Israeli and Jordanian interests are also present.” – Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, 19 October, 2017

Henri McPhee · 22nd August 2018, 09:09 AM

There is an interesting article about all this so-called Russian hacking scandal on the internet news today which implies that it is mainly about anybody who tries to fight corruption by these oligarchs in Russia and America:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techa...cid=spartanntp

Quote:

So I wasn’t surprised when my computer was hacked in a custom-made attack launched from a Russian-speaking country. Nor was I shocked when Microsoft revealed that, once I had finished my research into how kleptocrats move around their money, my project was targeted by hackers run by Russian intelligence, who cloned a website in order to phish the accounts of anyone interested in our work.

But this time I didn’t stop to think, “Why me?” It was now perfectly clear. What upsets the current regime in Moscow is not what used to infuriate the old Soviet authorities—research into its military strength—but anything exploring its illicit finances. Something similar might now be said of the current White House.

Looking back on it, I realize that every story I ever filed from Russia was not just a politics story, or a crime story, or a spy story—but almost always, on some level, also a corruption story.

That’s one final, spooky way that Washington now feels just like Moscow.

jimbob · 22nd August 2018, 09:25 AM

Yes Henri, that is because the biggest gangster is Putin.

Hlafordlaes · 22nd August 2018, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Henri McPhee

... There is no law against that. America interfered in Ukraine. All this Russiagate and Russiaphobia is way over the top. ...

There are crimes committed all over the world every second. Remember not to file a complaint next time your house is burgled. **** happens, dude.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 27th August 2018, 10:36 AM

In 2008 John McCain refused to let Manafort manage the Republican convention, because he was concerned about Manafort's ties to Russia

timhau · 27th August 2018, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

In 2008 John McCain refused to let Manafort manage the Republican convention, because he was concerned about Manafort's ties to Russia

It's almost as if there once were GOP presidential candidates who didn't want to be surrounded by scumbags.

thaiboxerken · 27th August 2018, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by timhau

It's almost as if there once were GOP presidential candidates who didn't want to be surrounded by scumbags.

Not really. They just didn't like foreign scumbags. Domestic scum was always their preference.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 12th September 2018, 11:07 AM

Trump signs an executive order permitting sanctions against foreigners who interfere in US elections, including the distribution of propaganda and disinformation

DallasDad · 12th September 2018, 11:45 AM

"We felt it was important to demonstrate the president has taken command of this issue, that it's something he cares deeply about — that the integrity of our elections and our constitutional process are a high priority to him," Bolton said.

I love the wording. It doesn't even imply that Trump actually does care. It only says that Bolton et al feel it's important to make the President seem that he cares.

quadraginta · 12th September 2018, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by DallasDad

"We felt it was important to demonstrate the president has taken command of this issue, that it's something he cares deeply about — that the integrity of our elections and our constitutional process are a high priority to him," Bolton said.

I love the wording. It doesn't even imply that Trump actually does care. It only says that Bolton et al feel it's important to make the President seem that he cares.

It also looks to be ripe for abuse.

Everything, including the imposition of any sanctions and what those sanctions might consist of, is left to the discretion of top Cabinet officials ... i.e, Trump appointees.

Trebuchet · 12th September 2018, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

Trump signs an executive order permitting sanctions against foreigners who interfere in US elections, including the distribution of propaganda and disinformation

Steele is a foreigner....

LSSBB · 12th September 2018, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

Steele is a foreigner....

...and he didn't distribute propaganda and disinformation!

quadraginta · 12th September 2018, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Trebuchet

Steele is a foreigner....

Originally Posted by LSSBB

...and he didn't distribute propaganda and disinformation!

Look at who gets to make the call as to whether he did or not.

People who work for the guy that has been accusing him of distributing propaganda and disinformation.

Foolmewunz · 12th September 2018, 06:52 PM

Why an EO? You've got the House and the Senate. Amend the USC in clear language assuring neutrality and provide a proper chain of prosecution. As an EO, the enforcement can commence after the 8:20 segment on Fox and Friends when Donnie hears one of the leggy idiots say, "Did Justin Trudeau just voice support for Maxine Waters? I don't think that's allowed!"

In those moments you're at the mercy of Trump's sanity, and that's no place anyone wants to be.

Hlafordlaes · 13th September 2018, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Foolmewunz

... In those moments you're at the mercy of Trump's sanity, and that's no place anyone wants to be.

I'd extend that to "mercy of 'True Americans' and their oh-so dim minds and dark hearts," but anyway, Happy Birthday.

carlitos · 14th September 2018, 07:22 AM

I have been following the trump money laundering stuff pretty closely, and this was new and interesting to me. Trump's Azerbaijani / New Jersey connections were moving money all over the place after that Trump Tower meeting that they helped set up.

A Series Of Suspicious Money Transfers Followed The Trump Tower Meeting

Originally Posted by Buzzfeed

The documents show Aras Agalarov, a billionaire real estate developer close to both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, at the center of this vast network and how he used accounts overseas to filter money to himself, his son, and at least two people who attended the Trump Tower meeting. The records also offer new insight into the murky financial world inhabited by many of Trump’s associates, who use shell companies and secret bank accounts to quickly and quietly move money across the globe.

Now, four federal law enforcement officials told BuzzFeed News, investigators are focused on two bursts of transactions that bank examiners deemed suspicious: one a short time after the meeting and another immediately after the November 2016 presidential election.

The first set came just 11 days after the June 9 meeting, when an offshore company controlled by Agalarov wired more than $19.5 million to his account at a bank in New York.

The second flurry began shortly after Trump was elected. The Agalarov family started sending what would amount to $1.2 million from their bank in Russia to an account in New Jersey controlled by the billionaire’s son, pop singer Emin Agalarov, and two of his friends. The account had been virtually dormant since the summer of 2015, according to records reviewed by BuzzFeed News, and bankers found it strange that activity in Emin Agalarov’s checking account surged after Trump’s victory.

LSSBB · 14th September 2018, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by carlitos

I have been following the trump money laundering stuff pretty closely, and this was new and interesting to me. Trump's Azerbaijani / New Jersey connections were moving money all over the place after that Trump Tower meeting that they helped set up.

A Series Of Suspicious Money Transfers Followed The Trump Tower Meeting

404

carlitos · 14th September 2018, 11:09 AM

Doh.

A Series Of Suspicious Money Transfers Followed The Trump Tower Meeting

Foolmewunz · 16th September 2018, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by carlitos

Doh.

A Series Of Suspicious Money Transfers Followed The Trump Tower Meeting

A bunch of loose ends possibly leading somewhere. I wonder why anyone goes public with all this speculation unless they're trying to shake something else out of the tree? Perhaps having to do with the fear running through those circles if Paulie Ukraine's turned canary?

I have to say, though, that the "suspicious" Bangkok withdrawals, apparently over thirty days, aren't that suspicious.

Thailand is a cash economy. Even many top restaurants and clubs don't take credit cards. Karaoke and Hostess Bars can run you up a major bill in a very few hours. 37 ATM withdrawals for a total of $8400? He was hitting the sex club circuit.

Think about it... even with his business partner's withdrawals, they went through $16000 in thirty days? That's not going to buy you anyone in the political circles they move in. That's walking around money in Bangkok. 37 withdrawals at an average of $250.00 each?

I think they got their hands on some records and want to make something of it. That sort of money might buy you a police captain in Koh Samui but doesn't even raise an eyebrow with high-roller vacationers.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 20th September 2018, 05:52 AM

Timeline of Trump & Russian election interference

carlitos · 20th September 2018, 09:45 AM

Thanks for sharing that timeline.

Stacyhs · 20th September 2018, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

Timeline of Trump & Russian election interference

Pay wall

LSSBB · 20th September 2018, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Pay wall

I used anonymous mode in Chrome.

The Great Zaganza · 20th September 2018, 11:59 PM

I believe that for Mueller, Trump is a small fry that he might be willing to toss back in the pond if he gets to cut the roots Russia has managed to sink into the US political process.
It will probably turn out that Trump and his campaign were more or less clueless stooges, , puppets of Putin, as Clinton said.
For his image, this might do more harm to Trump than being exposed as a criminal mastermind.

Stacyhs · 21st September 2018, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by The Great Zaganza

I believe that for Mueller, Trump is a small fry that he might be willing to toss back in the pond if he gets to cut the roots Russia has managed to sink into the US political process.
It will probably turn out that Trump and his campaign were more or less clueless stooges, , puppets of Putin, as Clinton said.
For his image, this might do more harm to Trump than being exposed as a criminal mastermind.

Agreed. But you can bet his true believers will claim Mueller and we just don't understand the 3 dimensional chess Trump was really playing.

Hellbound · 21st September 2018, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Agreed. But you can bet his true believers will claim Mueller and we just don't understand the 3 dimensional chess Trump was really playing.

Sadly, he plays 3 dimensional chess on a 2 dimensional board...i.e.-throwing a tantrum, tossing the pieces into the air, and declaring victory.

kellyb · 21st September 2018, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by LSSBB

I used anonymous mode in Chrome.

Just a heads up, NYT, WaPo, and several others have figured out how to track your incognito visits as well, but it does get you a few more.

kellyb · 21st September 2018, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Hellbound

Sadly, he plays 3 dimensional chess on a 2 dimensional board...i.e.-throwing a tantrum, tossing the pieces into the air, and declaring victory.

I've come to think of it as, we're playing chess and he's playing Rugby.

The Great Zaganza · 21st September 2018, 12:51 PM

Is it playing a game if all you are doing is cheating?

LSSBB · 21st September 2018, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by kellyb

Just a heads up, NYT, WaPo, and several others have figured out how to track your incognito visits as well, but it does get you a few more.

That's why you use multiple devices...

Segnosaur · 21st September 2018, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by kellyb

I've come to think of it as, we're playing chess and he's playing Rugby.

Don't be silly. He could never play rugby. His bone spurs would act up.

Darat · 21st September 2018, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by LSSBB

That's why you use multiple devices...

Why not just pay?

theprestige · 21st September 2018, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Stacyhs

Agreed. But you can bet his true believers will claim Mueller and we just don't understand the 3 dimensional chess Trump was really playing.

I doubt Trump is even playing checkers. But under this scenario, Robert Mueller's opponent isn't Donald Trump, it's Vladimir Putin.

And Putin's game was honed in the Cold War KGB and the post-collapse kleptocracy. The mind boggles at the kinds of deals he must have made, the favors granted and the hit jobs carried out, to convince the Russian oligarchs that they should let him rule the country.

I doubt there's been a president since Roosevelt, who was actually capable of playing chess on that level. If Mueller is going after Putin, he should probably settle for getting Trump.

Especially if all he has to show so far are nothing process crimes and unrelated offenses by Trump lackeys. You talk about Mueller throwing the little fish back in, because he wants the big fish. But he hasn't even caught the little fish yet.

Skeptic Ginger · 21st September 2018, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim

Timeline of Trump & Russian election interference

The gazillion denial Tweets are telling.

LSSBB · 21st September 2018, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by Darat

Why not just pay?

Because.

Aridas · 21st September 2018, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by theprestige

Especially if all he has to show so far are nothing process crimes and unrelated offenses by Trump lackeys. You talk about Mueller throwing the little fish back in, because he wants the big fish. But he hasn't even caught the little fish yet.

*raises an eyebrow*

Uh huh. That's what you call all the "We're cooperating, so let us off easy, please" bargains in play? Sure looks like he's quite caught a whole bunch of little fish.

kellyb · 21st September 2018, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Darat

Why not just pay?

My internet access is borrowing my neighbor's wifi about a quarter of the time. I, ummm, have to be really thrifty in general.

Squeegee Beckenheim · 22nd September 2018, 01:35 AM

I always have to have a little chuckle any time someone opines that Mueller's investigation is going slowly.

Darat · 22nd September 2018, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by kellyb

My internet access is borrowing my neighbor's wifi about a quarter of the time. I, ummm, have to be really thrifty in general.

We shall have to agree to differ as I believe it is wrong to evade the restrictions the owners put in place just because I can't afford or want to pay what they wish to charge.

21st August 2018, 03:01 PM	#441
crescent Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,896	Christopher Steele’s Victory in a D.C. Court Christopher Steele’s Victory in a D.C. Court Quote: The author of the explosive dossier outlining the president’s alleged ties to Russia won an important legal victory on Monday, when a judge dismissed a defamation lawsuit brought against his firm by the co-founders of Russia’s largest private bank. In his decision to toss the case “with prejudice”—that is, permanently—Judge Anthony C. Epstein of the Washington, D.C., Superior Court concluded that the author of the dossier, the former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, acted “in furtherance of the right of advocacy on issues of public interest” when he decided to brief reporters on the dossier’s findings in the summer of 2016. Steele’s conduct is therefore protected by “anti-slapp” statutes, according to the judge, which aim to halt lawsuits brought to chill the exercise of constitutionally protected free speech. Sometimes good things come in threes. Manafort convicted, Cohen pleading guilty, and also this all in one day. We might just save ourselves after all.
crescent Master Poster Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,896

22nd August 2018, 08:12 AM	#442
Henri McPhee Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 3,323	Putin has been quite open in his desire for Trump to be President rather than Clinton. There is no law against that. America interfered in Ukraine. All this Russiagate and Russiaphobia is way over the top. Much of it stems from the Assad must go policies of the past. As Putin has said in the past, not all Russian billionaires support Putin in the same way as billionaires like George Soros in America don't necessarily support Trump. I don't know exactly how much control the Russian GRU has over murdering Russians abroad. There is an interesting analysis of Putin's attitude to Israel at this website, though I am not sure he appreciates that the Arabs consider Israel to be an alien state on Arab lands: https://orientalreview.org/2018/05/1...emlin-website/ Quote: Russia And America Put Aside Their Differences In Order To “Maintain Stable Cooperation…On Many Issues, Including The Southern De-Escalation Zone (In Syria), Where Israeli…Interests Are Also Present”: “I have to note that other countries, including the United States, are greatly contributing; even though they are not participating in the talks in Astana directly, they are influencing these processes behind the scenes. We maintain stable cooperation with our American partners in this sphere, on this track, even though not without disputes. However, there are more positive than negative elements in our cooperation. So far, we have managed to agree on many issues, including the southern de-escalation zone, where Israeli and Jordanian interests are also present.” – Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club, 19 October, 2017
	Last edited by Henri McPhee; 22nd August 2018 at 08:16 AM.

22nd August 2018, 09:09 AM	#443
Henri McPhee Illuminator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bristol UK Posts: 3,323	There is an interesting article about all this so-called Russian hacking scandal on the internet news today which implies that it is mainly about anybody who tries to fight corruption by these oligarchs in Russia and America: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/techa...cid=spartanntp Quote: So I wasn’t surprised when my computer was hacked in a custom-made attack launched from a Russian-speaking country. Nor was I shocked when Microsoft revealed that, once I had finished my research into how kleptocrats move around their money, my project was targeted by hackers run by Russian intelligence, who cloned a website in order to phish the accounts of anyone interested in our work. But this time I didn’t stop to think, “Why me?” It was now perfectly clear. What upsets the current regime in Moscow is not what used to infuriate the old Soviet authorities—research into its military strength—but anything exploring its illicit finances. Something similar might now be said of the current White House. Looking back on it, I realize that every story I ever filed from Russia was not just a politics story, or a crime story, or a spy story—but almost always, on some level, also a corruption story. That’s one final, spooky way that Washington now feels just like Moscow.
	Last edited by Henri McPhee; 22nd August 2018 at 09:13 AM.

22nd August 2018, 09:25 AM	#444
jimbob Uncritical "thinker" Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: UK Posts: 20,024	Yes Henri, that is because the biggest gangster is Putin.
	__________________ OECD healthcare spending Expenditure on healthcare http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/health-data.htm link is 2015 data (2013 Data below): UK 8.5% of GDP of which 83.3% is public expenditure - 7.1% of GDP is public spending US 16.4% of GDP of which 48.2% is public expenditure - 7.9% of GDP is public spending

22nd August 2018, 11:08 AM	#445
Hlafordlaes Disorder of Kilopi Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: State of Flux Posts: 9,448	Originally Posted by Henri McPhee ... There is no law against that. America interfered in Ukraine. All this Russiagate and Russiaphobia is way over the top. ... There are crimes committed all over the world every second. Remember not to file a complaint next time your house is burgled. **** happens, dude.
	__________________ Driftwood on an empty shore of the sea of meaninglessness. Irrelevant, weightless, inconsequential moment of existential hubris on the fast track to oblivion. His real name is Count Douchenozzle von Stenchfahrter und Lichtendicks. - shemp

27th August 2018, 10:36 AM	#446
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 23,160	In 2008 John McCain refused to let Manafort manage the Republican convention, because he was concerned about Manafort's ties to Russia
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

27th August 2018, 12:46 PM	#447
timhau NWO Litter Technician Join Date: May 2004 Location: Looks like Finland. Smells like Finland. Quacks like Finland. Where the hell am I? Posts: 13,018	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim In 2008 John McCain refused to let Manafort manage the Republican convention, because he was concerned about Manafort's ties to Russia It's almost as if there once were GOP presidential candidates who didn't want to be surrounded by scumbags.
	__________________ When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord, in his wisdom, doesn't work that way. I just stole one and asked Him to forgive me. - Emo Philips

27th August 2018, 06:47 PM	#448
thaiboxerken Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,707	Originally Posted by timhau It's almost as if there once were GOP presidential candidates who didn't want to be surrounded by scumbags. Not really. They just didn't like foreign scumbags. Domestic scum was always their preference.
	__________________ All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power & profit - Thomas Paine

12th September 2018, 11:07 AM	#449
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 23,160	Trump signs an executive order permitting sanctions against foreigners who interfere in US elections, including the distribution of propaganda and disinformation
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

12th September 2018, 11:45 AM	#450
DallasDad Muse Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 805	"We felt it was important to demonstrate the president has taken command of this issue, that it's something he cares deeply about — that the integrity of our elections and our constitutional process are a high priority to him," Bolton said. I love the wording. It doesn't even imply that Trump actually does care. It only says that Bolton et al feel it's important to make the President seem that he cares.
DallasDad Muse Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 805

12th September 2018, 04:05 PM	#451
quadraginta Becoming Beth Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Vale of Humility Posts: 22,920	Originally Posted by DallasDad "We felt it was important to demonstrate the president has taken command of this issue, that it's something he cares deeply about — that the integrity of our elections and our constitutional process are a high priority to him," Bolton said. I love the wording. It doesn't even imply that Trump actually does care. It only says that Bolton et al feel it's important to make the President seem that he cares. It also looks to be ripe for abuse. Everything, including the imposition of any sanctions and what those sanctions might consist of, is left to the discretion of top Cabinet officials ... i.e, Trump appointees.
	__________________ "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."

12th September 2018, 04:29 PM	#452
Trebuchet Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Great Northwet Posts: 20,039	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim Trump signs an executive order permitting sanctions against foreigners who interfere in US elections, including the distribution of propaganda and disinformation Steele is a foreigner....
	__________________ Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant.

12th September 2018, 05:51 PM	#453
LSSBB Devilish Dictionarian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: An elusive house at Bachelors Grove Cemetery Posts: 19,950	Originally Posted by Trebuchet Steele is a foreigner.... ...and he didn't distribute propaganda and disinformation!
	__________________ "You must not let your need to be right be more important than your need to find out what's true." - Ray Dalio, Principles

12th September 2018, 06:41 PM	#454
quadraginta Becoming Beth Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Vale of Humility Posts: 22,920	Originally Posted by Trebuchet Steele is a foreigner.... Originally Posted by LSSBB ...and he didn't distribute propaganda and disinformation! Look at who gets to make the call as to whether he did or not. People who work for the guy that has been accusing him of distributing propaganda and disinformation.
	__________________ "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."

12th September 2018, 06:52 PM	#455
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader TLA Dictator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 39,908	Why an EO? You've got the House and the Senate. Amend the USC in clear language assuring neutrality and provide a proper chain of prosecution. As an EO, the enforcement can commence after the 8:20 segment on Fox and Friends when Donnie hears one of the leggy idiots say, "Did Justin Trudeau just voice support for Maxine Waters? I don't think that's allowed!" In those moments you're at the mercy of Trump's sanity, and that's no place anyone wants to be.
	__________________ Ha! Foolmewunz has just been added to the list of people who aren't complete idiots. Hokulele It's not that liberals have become less tolerant. It's that conservatives have become more intolerable.

13th September 2018, 11:07 AM	#456
Hlafordlaes Disorder of Kilopi Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: State of Flux Posts: 9,448	Originally Posted by Foolmewunz ... In those moments you're at the mercy of Trump's sanity, and that's no place anyone wants to be. I'd extend that to "mercy of 'True Americans' and their oh-so dim minds and dark hearts," but anyway, Happy Birthday.
	__________________ Driftwood on an empty shore of the sea of meaninglessness. Irrelevant, weightless, inconsequential moment of existential hubris on the fast track to oblivion. His real name is Count Douchenozzle von Stenchfahrter und Lichtendicks. - shemp

14th September 2018, 07:22 AM	#457
carlitos "más divertido" Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 19,283	I have been following the trump money laundering stuff pretty closely, and this was new and interesting to me. Trump's Azerbaijani / New Jersey connections were moving money all over the place after that Trump Tower meeting that they helped set up. A Series Of Suspicious Money Transfers Followed The Trump Tower Meeting Originally Posted by Buzzfeed The documents show Aras Agalarov, a billionaire real estate developer close to both Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, at the center of this vast network and how he used accounts overseas to filter money to himself, his son, and at least two people who attended the Trump Tower meeting. The records also offer new insight into the murky financial world inhabited by many of Trump’s associates, who use shell companies and secret bank accounts to quickly and quietly move money across the globe. Now, four federal law enforcement officials told BuzzFeed News, investigators are focused on two bursts of transactions that bank examiners deemed suspicious: one a short time after the meeting and another immediately after the November 2016 presidential election. The first set came just 11 days after the June 9 meeting, when an offshore company controlled by Agalarov wired more than $19.5 million to his account at a bank in New York. The second flurry began shortly after Trump was elected. The Agalarov family started sending what would amount to $1.2 million from their bank in Russia to an account in New Jersey controlled by the billionaire’s son, pop singer Emin Agalarov, and two of his friends. The account had been virtually dormant since the summer of 2015, according to records reviewed by BuzzFeed News, and bankers found it strange that activity in Emin Agalarov’s checking account surged after Trump’s victory.

14th September 2018, 10:19 AM	#458
LSSBB Devilish Dictionarian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: An elusive house at Bachelors Grove Cemetery Posts: 19,950	Originally Posted by carlitos I have been following the trump money laundering stuff pretty closely, and this was new and interesting to me. Trump's Azerbaijani / New Jersey connections were moving money all over the place after that Trump Tower meeting that they helped set up. A Series Of Suspicious Money Transfers Followed The Trump Tower Meeting 404
	__________________ "You must not let your need to be right be more important than your need to find out what's true." - Ray Dalio, Principles

14th September 2018, 11:09 AM	#459
carlitos "más divertido" Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 19,283	now with working link! Doh. A Series Of Suspicious Money Transfers Followed The Trump Tower Meeting

16th September 2018, 01:56 AM	#460
Foolmewunz Grammar Resistance Leader TLA Dictator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pattaya, Thailand Posts: 39,908	Originally Posted by carlitos Doh. A Series Of Suspicious Money Transfers Followed The Trump Tower Meeting A bunch of loose ends possibly leading somewhere. I wonder why anyone goes public with all this speculation unless they're trying to shake something else out of the tree? Perhaps having to do with the fear running through those circles if Paulie Ukraine's turned canary? I have to say, though, that the "suspicious" Bangkok withdrawals, apparently over thirty days, aren't that suspicious. Thailand is a cash economy. Even many top restaurants and clubs don't take credit cards. Karaoke and Hostess Bars can run you up a major bill in a very few hours. 37 ATM withdrawals for a total of $8400? He was hitting the sex club circuit. Think about it... even with his business partner's withdrawals, they went through $16000 in thirty days? That's not going to buy you anyone in the political circles they move in. That's walking around money in Bangkok. 37 withdrawals at an average of $250.00 each? I think they got their hands on some records and want to make something of it. That sort of money might buy you a police captain in Koh Samui but doesn't even raise an eyebrow with high-roller vacationers.
	__________________ Ha! Foolmewunz has just been added to the list of people who aren't complete idiots. Hokulele It's not that liberals have become less tolerant. It's that conservatives have become more intolerable.

20th September 2018, 05:52 AM	#461
Squeegee Beckenheim Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 23,160	Timeline of Trump & Russian election interference
	__________________ I don't trust atoms. They make up everything.

20th September 2018, 09:45 AM	#462
carlitos "más divertido" Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 19,283	Thanks for sharing that timeline.

20th September 2018, 11:46 AM	#463
Stacyhs Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 6,730	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim Timeline of Trump & Russian election interference Pay wall
Stacyhs Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 6,730

20th September 2018, 12:16 PM	#464
LSSBB Devilish Dictionarian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: An elusive house at Bachelors Grove Cemetery Posts: 19,950	Originally Posted by Stacyhs Pay wall I used anonymous mode in Chrome.
	__________________ "You must not let your need to be right be more important than your need to find out what's true." - Ray Dalio, Principles

20th September 2018, 11:59 PM	#465
The Great Zaganza Maledictorian Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 6,830	I believe that for Mueller, Trump is a small fry that he might be willing to toss back in the pond if he gets to cut the roots Russia has managed to sink into the US political process. It will probably turn out that Trump and his campaign were more or less clueless stooges, , puppets of Putin, as Clinton said. For his image, this might do more harm to Trump than being exposed as a criminal mastermind.
	__________________ Opinion is divided on the subject. All the others say it is; I say it isn’t.

21st September 2018, 12:19 AM	#466
Stacyhs Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 6,730	Originally Posted by The Great Zaganza I believe that for Mueller, Trump is a small fry that he might be willing to toss back in the pond if he gets to cut the roots Russia has managed to sink into the US political process. It will probably turn out that Trump and his campaign were more or less clueless stooges, , puppets of Putin, as Clinton said. For his image, this might do more harm to Trump than being exposed as a criminal mastermind. Agreed. But you can bet his true believers will claim Mueller and we just don't understand the 3 dimensional chess Trump was really playing.
Stacyhs Philosopher Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 6,730

21st September 2018, 12:40 PM	#467
Hellbound Merchant of Doom Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not in Hell, but I can see it from here on a clear day... Posts: 13,158	Originally Posted by Stacyhs Agreed. But you can bet his true believers will claim Mueller and we just don't understand the 3 dimensional chess Trump was really playing. Sadly, he plays 3 dimensional chess on a 2 dimensional board...i.e.-throwing a tantrum, tossing the pieces into the air, and declaring victory.

21st September 2018, 12:47 PM	#468
kellyb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 10,647	Originally Posted by LSSBB I used anonymous mode in Chrome. Just a heads up, NYT, WaPo, and several others have figured out how to track your incognito visits as well, but it does get you a few more.
	__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts ~ Bertrand Russell I am proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend.

21st September 2018, 12:49 PM	#469
kellyb Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 10,647	Originally Posted by Hellbound Sadly, he plays 3 dimensional chess on a 2 dimensional board...i.e.-throwing a tantrum, tossing the pieces into the air, and declaring victory. I've come to think of it as, we're playing chess and he's playing Rugby.
	__________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts ~ Bertrand Russell I am proud to say that Henry Kissinger is not my friend.

21st September 2018, 12:51 PM	#470
The Great Zaganza Maledictorian Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 6,830	Is it playing a game if all you are doing is cheating?
	__________________ Opinion is divided on the subject. All the others say it is; I say it isn’t.

21st September 2018, 01:05 PM	#471
LSSBB Devilish Dictionarian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: An elusive house at Bachelors Grove Cemetery Posts: 19,950	Originally Posted by kellyb Just a heads up, NYT, WaPo, and several others have figured out how to track your incognito visits as well, but it does get you a few more. That's why you use multiple devices...
	__________________ "You must not let your need to be right be more important than your need to find out what's true." - Ray Dalio, Principles

21st September 2018, 01:33 PM	#472
Segnosaur Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 12,307	Originally Posted by kellyb I've come to think of it as, we're playing chess and he's playing Rugby. Don't be silly. He could never play rugby. His bone spurs would act up.
	__________________ Trust me, I know what I'm doing. - Sledgehammer I'm Mary Poppin's Y'all! - Yondu We are Groot - Groot

21st September 2018, 03:09 PM	#473
Darat Lackey Administrator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: South East, UK Posts: 84,778	Originally Posted by LSSBB That's why you use multiple devices... Why not just pay?
	__________________ I wish I knew how to quit you

21st September 2018, 03:17 PM	#474
theprestige Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 31,724	Originally Posted by Stacyhs Agreed. But you can bet his true believers will claim Mueller and we just don't understand the 3 dimensional chess Trump was really playing. I doubt Trump is even playing checkers. But under this scenario, Robert Mueller's opponent isn't Donald Trump, it's Vladimir Putin. And Putin's game was honed in the Cold War KGB and the post-collapse kleptocracy. The mind boggles at the kinds of deals he must have made, the favors granted and the hit jobs carried out, to convince the Russian oligarchs that they should let him rule the country. I doubt there's been a president since Roosevelt, who was actually capable of playing chess on that level. If Mueller is going after Putin, he should probably settle for getting Trump. Especially if all he has to show so far are nothing process crimes and unrelated offenses by Trump lackeys. You talk about Mueller throwing the little fish back in, because he wants the big fish. But he hasn't even caught the little fish yet.
	Last edited by theprestige; 21st September 2018 at 03:20 PM.

21st September 2018, 03:21 PM	#475
Skeptic Ginger Nasty Woman Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 71,585	Originally Posted by Squeegee Beckenheim Timeline of Trump & Russian election interference The gazillion denial Tweets are telling.
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