Is the reason the US is now a laughing stock.

[Phil1111 1,202]

John Bolton's personal residence was raided by the FBI today. Kash Patel's storm troopers are on the move.

Case closed.

[gowlerk 2,287]

46 minutes ago, Phil1111 said:

John Bolton's personal residence was raided by the FBI today. Kash Patel's storm troopers are on the move.

Case closed.

Probably because he is so darn woke. And liberal.

[dogyks 22]

It kinda baffles me how the rules are applied regarding classified info.

I never had a security clearance, and was informed that there was a zero tolerance policy regarding mishandling of secret information.  The rules were unambiguous, and people who fell afoul of them were seemingly held accountable. 

Declassification required a defined process, and anything marked classified was regulated until then.

When politicians mishandled classified info, it appeared to be rather cut and dried.  Some people give a pass to one side of the aisle or another, which I don't get.  The rules supposedly apply equally to any political party.

Hillary's use of an unsecured server was clearly in violation of regulations with which she was fully familiar.  Trump's retention of secret documents was definitively illegal.  Biden's stashing secret documents in the garage was entirely proscribed, regardless of the progress of his dementia.

There are people who wound up in Federal lockup for less egregious transgressions, so I have a real problem with the idea that the rules don't apply to one class of people or another.

In this case, there may be grounds to suspect Bolton of following Clinton's or Trump's lead.  Whether or not that is the case, the capricious nature of enforcement is problematic.

 

[Phil1111 1,202]

37 minutes ago, dogyks said:

.....  Biden's stashing secret documents in the garage was entirely proscribed, regardless of the progress of his dementia.....

 

I take it the definition of dementia and its effects has slipped your mind?

[normiss 906]

40 minutes ago, dogyks said:

It kinda baffles me how the rules are applied regarding classified info.

I never had a security clearance, and was informed that there was a zero tolerance policy regarding mishandling of secret information.  The rules were unambiguous, and people who fell afoul of them were seemingly held accountable. 

Declassification required a defined process, and anything marked classified was regulated until then.

When politicians mishandled classified info, it appeared to be rather cut and dried.  Some people give a pass to one side of the aisle or another, which I don't get.  The rules supposedly apply equally to any political party.

Hillary's use of an unsecured server was clearly in violation of regulations with which she was fully familiar.  Trump's retention of secret documents was definitively illegal.  Biden's stashing secret documents in the garage was entirely proscribed, regardless of the progress of his dementia.

There are people who wound up in Federal lockup for less egregious transgressions, so I have a real problem with the idea that the rules don't apply to one class of people or another.

In this case, there may be grounds to suspect Bolton of following Clinton's or Trump's lead.  Whether or not that is the case, the capricious nature of enforcement is problematic.

 

Your "facts" are off for starters.

 

[dogyks 22]

1 minute ago, normiss said:

Your "facts" are off for starters.

 

Thanks for the detailed clarification.

[normiss 906]

2 minutes ago, dogyks said:

Thanks for the detailed clarification.

You've repeatedly proven not worth the time and effort.

[dogyks 22]

21 minutes ago, normiss said:

You've repeatedly proven not worth the time and effort.

Thus the time and effort to vent your spleen.  Got it.

[normiss 906]

5 minutes ago, dogyks said:

Thus the time and effort to vent your spleen.  Got it.

Nah, just pointing out your putrid continual stream of disinformation and lies.

[dogyks 22]

49 minutes ago, normiss said:

Nah, just pointing out your putrid continual stream of disinformation and lies.

You fail to get specific, not that it matters.

[normiss 906]

22 minutes ago, dogyks said:

You fail to get specific, not that it matters.

Just returning the favor, not that I actually give a fuck.

[dogyks 22]

1 hour ago, normiss said:

Just returning the favor, not that I actually give a fuck.

So all you have to add is vitriol and abuse.  I suppose that enhances your credibility.

[billvon 3,133]

4 hours ago, Phil1111 said:

I take it the definition of dementia and its effects has slipped your mind?

Not at all.  The modern accepted definition of dementia for conservatives is "Biden, not Trump."

[JoeWeber 2,976]

2 hours ago, normiss said:

Hillary's use of an unsecured server was clearly in violation of regulations with which she was fully familiar.  Trump's retention of secret documents was definitively illegal.  Biden's stashing secret documents in the garage was entirely proscribed, regardless of the progress of his dementia.

There are people who wound up in Federal lockup for less egregious transgressions, so I have a real problem with the idea that the rules don't apply to one class of people or another.

Sure, but in law the issue of intent usually determines the level of criminality. Hillary was doofy, Biden was dizzy, Trump flat out absconded with secret materials, hid them in his crapper, and then lied about it all. I'm saying they aren't equivalent wrongs or equally prosecutable.

[billvon 3,133]

8 hours ago, dogyks said:

It kinda baffles me how the rules are applied regarding classified info.

I never had a security clearance, and was informed that there was a zero tolerance policy regarding mishandling of secret information.  The rules were unambiguous, and people who fell afoul of them were seemingly held accountable.

I worked with about a dozen people who had a security clearance - and no, it was not zero tolerance.  If people made a mistake (and they did, all the time) then they'd get a lecture and told not to do it again.  The severity of the lecture was proportional to the risk the mistake posed.

Left a page from a confidential manual on the copier?  It would be returned to your desk with a "be more careful" Post-It.

Emailed something confidential about work on AOL instead of Arpanet SMTP?  You'd get a public lecture with much finger wagging.

Dropped a page with STALO frequencies (secret, not confidential) outside the building?  That would be a closed door meeting with a director.

Stole a dozen boxes of top secret information, lied about it, told your lawyers to pretend you didn't have it, then showed them to a random journalist?  You have to be Trump to get away with that.

[wmw999 2,605]

8 hours ago, dogyks said:

I never had a security clearance, and was informed that there was a zero tolerance policy regarding mishandling of secret information.  The rules were unambiguous, and people who fell afoul of them were seemingly held accountable. 

I have held a security clearance. I never actually dealt with secure materials (I was system support, so had godlike access to everything, including the secure areas), but yes, mistakes were addressed, and didn't lead to jail. 

If something was important enough in our world (which was proposals generally), a Chinese wall was set up to physically prevent any sharing. It seemed to work.

Wendy P.

[nigel99 652]

12 hours ago, normiss said:

Your "facts" are off for starters.

 

 

[richravizza 28]

17 hours ago, nigel99 said:

 

Now that is Ironic. Pardon me and my family.

On 8/22/2025 at 10:28 AM, billvon said:

Not at all.  The modern accepted definition of dementia for conservatives is "Biden, not Trump."

Bill why is it, you always talk about what Conservatives think,but never actually hear what they said,you must get your perspective of conservatives via a New Liberal.

I told you before,You wouldn't know Us, If we bit you on your ass.lol

Talk about a negative cognitive bias.

Can we work on this?

I'll admit Trump is showing signs of age related onset.his had is looking like bidens neck,and his feet and ankles are showing signs of oedema.

You'll need to give me a bone,lol at least one consolation,that the last President is our baseline for our comparisons,if not, How can we take you seriously if you can't simply say, Biden was in sharp decline.Just watch the last debate, the contrast is clear. 

Trump, "I don't know what he said,I don't think he knows what he said, either."lol

As far as the physical aspect. I think Joe's in the lead,3-0 in the gravity works event.

Edited August 23 by richravizza

[richravizza 28]

On 8/22/2025 at 5:41 AM, dogyks said:

It kinda baffles me how the rules are applied regarding classified info.

I never had a security clearance, and was informed that there was a zero tolerance policy regarding mishandling of secret information.  The rules were unambiguous, and people who fell afoul of them were seemingly held accountable. 

Declassification required a defined process, and anything marked classified was regulated until then.

When politicians mishandled classified info, it appeared to be rather cut and dried.  Some people give a pass to one side of the aisle or another, which I don't get.  The rules supposedly apply equally to any political party.

Hillary's use of an unsecured server was clearly in violation of regulations with which she was fully familiar.  Trump's retention of secret documents was definitively illegal.  Biden's stashing secret documents in the garage was entirely proscribed, regardless of the progress of his dementia.

There are people who wound up in Federal lockup for less egregious transgressions, so I have a real problem with the idea that the rules don't apply to one class of people or another.

In this case, there may be grounds to suspect Bolton of following Clinton's or Trump's lead.  Whether or not that is the case, the capricious nature of enforcement is problematic.

 

 Bravo Sir, Capricious, nice way of saying it. 

 Any member of  any Military Branch would be stripped and in Prison for life, in a Hillery's situation.In the Military we have additional laws, the UCMJ.A double jeopardy of sorts with harsher penalties ie.a firing squad; compared to civilian bureaucrats and politicians.It is Rules for thee situation. 

Crew members of Boomer type weapon systems, mission info and intell  with "classified"  just may require a different Standard,zero tolerance.

Clinton and Bolton were not Presidents, so Yes the Rules are definitely different.Which leads us to the Marlago Raid the first ever,which set a Precedent.Then when wrongdoing was discovered in Bidens case as it was unsecured and an unauthorized ghostwriter had access.

The Hurr Report concluded that Biden was so forgetful,and couldn't remember what year his son died,and concluded,{cough},that no jury would convict such a forgetful old man.A highlight to Bills perception and NCB and our concerns in our CinC.

 

[richravizza 28]

On 8/22/2025 at 11:53 AM, JoeWeber said:

Sure, but in law the issue of intent usually determines the level of criminality. Hillary was doofy, Biden was dizzy, Trump flat out absconded with secret materials, hid them in his crapper, and then lied about it all. I'm saying they aren't equivalent wrongs or equally prosecutable.

Oh that Is Hilarious. Thanks for the laughs.

Can I use it ? "Hillary was doofy, Biden was dizzy." and not a "smidgin of corruption".lol 

Perhaps you can ask the author Who's laughing now.

Edited August 23 by richravizza

[richravizza 28]

On 8/22/2025 at 6:57 AM, normiss said:

Nah, just pointing out your putrid continual stream of disinformation and lies.

There's that word again,lol

No, Donald Trump was not found guilty of 40 counts by a grand jury regarding classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. He was charged by a grand jury in connection with the mishandling of classified documents, but as of August 2025, he has not been found guilty of these charges.

How about some Avocado with that wine and dry White toast?

 He also retains all aforementioned classified info.

As to the disinfo, I wonder why Trump didn't just "wipe it all away" lol 

Excuse me Sir,I didn't realize this was supposed to be  phills,joke.

Peace

Edited Wednesday at 01:24 AM by richravizza

[richravizza 28]

On 8/22/2025 at 12:13 PM, billvon said:

I worked with about a dozen people who had a security clearance - and no, it was not zero tolerance.  If people made a mistake (and they did, all the time) then they'd get a lecture and told not to do it again.  The severity of the lecture was proportional to the risk the mistake posed.

Left a page from a confidential manual on the copier?  It would be returned to your desk with a "be more careful" Post-It.

Emailed something confidential about work on AOL instead of Arpanet SMTP?  You'd get a public lecture with much finger wagging.

Dropped a page with STALO frequencies (secret, not confidential) outside the building?  That would be a closed door meeting with a director.

Stole a dozen boxes of top secret information, lied about it, told your lawyers to pretend you didn't have it, then showed them to a random journalist?  You have to be Trump to get away with that.

I suppose General Miley would approve of such an approach,  "Loose Lips" and all.But Gen.LeMay...,I believe he would advise us otherwise.

I like how the terms confidential, Secret, Top secret were separated.The President as well as your examples are not subject to the UCMJ.  Presidential privilege is something a boomer driver doesn't have, weather asked for, it or not.   

[billvon 3,133]

1 hour ago, richravizza said:

I like how the terms confidential, Secret, Top secret were separated.The President as well as your examples are not subject to the UCMJ.

So no problems with Biden keeping such documents in his garage!  I will remember that.

[kallend 2,184]

It's no wonder we're a laughing stock when Taylor Swift's engagement and Cracker Barrel's logo change seem to be more of a concern to much of the population than the country's rapid descent into authoritarian dictatorship.

[Phil1111 1,202]

4 hours ago, kallend said:

It's no wonder we're a laughing stock when Taylor Swift's engagement and Cracker Barrel's logo change seem to be more of a concern to much of the population than the country's rapid descent into authoritarian dictatorship.

Nah this is the real reason: Trump’s Cabinet Meeting Was Stuffed With Flattery for Dear Leader

"Every so often, Donald Trump will convene his closest advisers at the White House and smile as they lick his boots to a mirror shine. These Cabinet meetings are effectively televised devotionals to the president’s greatness, with his appointees taking turns lauding him shamelessly. Attorney General Pam Bondi went so far as to credit Trump with saving the lives of 75 percent of America’s population, during a Cabinet meeting back in April.

Trump held another Cabinet meeting on Tuesday. It was no different, with the table full of lackeys dutifully praising Trump for rescuing the United States from the brink of destruction. The spectacle lasted over three hours as Trump fielded questions from the congregated media. The adulation clearly went to his head. “I have the right to do anything I want to do,” he said of sending federal troops into cities. “I’m the president of the United States.

Here are some of the most shameless examples from Tuesday’s roundtable of the Trump sycophants running the government praising their leader:"

“This is just such a great opportunity, really, to recognize your leadership as a true champion for working people. … I know we’ll hear, as we go around the table here, how your focus singularly on putting the well being and interests of the American people first is that common thread that we’re seeing your policies being implemented across your administration.”

Gabbard has spent the better part of the summer attempting to redirect public attention away from the administration’s bungling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, and towards conspiracy theories about former President Barack Obama and the 2016 election. Trump rewarded Gabbard’s efforts with praise of his own, congratulating her on “becoming a bigger and bigger star every day” within his administration. 

“Mr. President, I invite you to see your big beautiful face on a banner in front of the Department of Labor — because you are the transformational president of the American worker, along with the American flag and President Roosevelt …and I was so honored to unveil that yesterday.” 

Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer was referencing a literal banner of Trump’s face that has been hung on the facade of the headquarters of her department, alongside a similar banner depicting former President Theodore Roosevelt. Both banners carry the slogan “American Workers First.” 

“There is only one thing I wish for: that the Nobel Committee finally gets its act together and realizes you are the single finest candidate since this Nobel award was ever talked about to receive that award. Beyond your success, is game changing out in the world today, and I hope one day everyone wakes up and realizes that.” 

Witkoff, not technically a Cabinet member but still invited to the party, later told the president that “working for this government – for you – is the greatest honor of my life,” and praised Trump for supposedly ending “more than seven” international conflicts in the last eight months, although what those conflicts were was left unspecified.

“First of all, thank you for the opportunity to work for you. You made this country safe. You opened up the economy. You enforce the law. Now people can get up and provide for their families and go to work every day and be confident in that.” 

Noem repeatedly praised Trump for a supposed wholesale transformation of the American economy towards unbound prosperity and safety, never mind that the president recently fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for reporting stagnating economic and labor growth in their monthly report. 

“Thank you for saving college football, by the way. We’re very grateful.”

Was college football in such a precarious position that it required saving? No. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order requiring universities to preserve and expand scholarships for women and Olympic athletes at the collegiate level, as well as reform pay-for-play structure out of college sports. 

“As we’ve said very often, economic security is national security, and our country has never been so secure, thanks to you. You have brought us back from the edge. You have the overwhelming mandate from the American people. You are restoring confidence in government.” 

Bessent said that one of the primary ways Trump is restoring trust in the government is by trying to take control of the historically independent Federal Reserve. The president a day earlier attempted to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, a nakedly illegitimate action with no legal basis. Cook’s lawyer said Tuesday that she is not leaving her post and will sue over the move.

“You were elected the president of working Americans and that’s why this Labor Day is so meaningful — that’s why this is the most meaningful Labor Day of my life, as someone with four jobs.

Trump has been gutting the government since he took office in January and installing loyalists in key positions, which is why Rubio is not only the Secretary of State, but the head of the National Archives, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Trump’s National Security Adviser. Rubio on Tuesday went on to tout Trump’s leadership, describing him as the “Peacemaker in Chief.”

A better example of getting the government you deserve can't be made. The rest of the world looks on and laughs abit with fear. I've read this story a couple times and the more I laugh the less I fear the certain outcome of all of this.

Edited Wednesday at 12:45 PM by Phil1111