DJL

And in other news Morgan Lewis & Bockius is looking forward to record earnings in the next few years. . , , , , , , , , It's Ok if you didn't get it, that's the law firm that Trump has on retainer. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Yup, they know exactly what they're doing. And coming from the guy who takes it upon himself to investigate the deaths of his political opponents. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Nope, and not the source either. I have to imagine it's a pretty short list. But now that the Russians know that they should look at it closely. I'm betting most of the conversation was Trump validating himself by talking about the election or talking down to US media. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

The conclusion from that post: "Risch said, "The minute the president speaks about it to someone, he has the ability to declassify anything at any time without any process." We found broad agreement that a president, using powers granted by the Constitution, is able to declassify essentially anything. However, experts added that Risch’s comment was not entirely on point for the particular situation involving Trump. In this case, it appears Trump didn’t actually use his declassification power before talking to the Russian officials, and just because Trump’s actions were legal doesn’t necessarily mean they were wise. These caveats add nuance to analyses of what Trump did. The statement is accurate but needs clarification and additional information, so we rate it Mostly True." One other thing that they didn't touch on has to do with why we know about it. Apparently there's a do-gooder in the white-house who chose to convey to the entire world that items discussed are of the highest classified value. It's quite possible that Russia had no idea of that but now that they've been told I'm sure they're pouring through every single detail and through some basic sleuthing are able to put together "envelope" information that tells them the who and when about how the information was obtained. Wouldn't it have been better to blow that whistle to an over-site committee rather than tell the entire world that something in that conversation (available from the Russians now) is of supreme importance? "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Since you're now an expert on national intelligence law can you tell us who else can automatically declassify information? I can't imagine this power is for some reason limited to the President, he's as much a public servant as some other members of our government. And just to be clear, any President, any time, under any circumstances can instantaneously make any quantity of things unclassified just by telling them to a foreign diplomat? I do not know which reporter said this yesterday but I agree with it. "Trump critics are like squirrels on crack" I almost did not reply to you snotty post but it was too easy to find. Take your pick..... https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#safe=active&q=what+law+gives+the+president+authority+to+declassify+intelligence&spf=1495030812408 Ok, just want to make sure we're on the same page when President Elizabeth Warren does the same thing and you have an opinion about it. Edit: You could say I'm just going to squirrel that one away so we can dig it up later. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Don't forget that Trump cut his teeth under the mentorship of Roy Cohn, an expert in blatantly committing illegal actions and then getting away with it, something we know to be second nature to Trump. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Since you're now an expert on national intelligence law can you tell us who else can automatically declassify information? I can't imagine this power is for some reason limited to the President, he's as much a public servant as some other members of our government. And just to be clear, any President, any time, under any circumstances can instantaneously make any quantity of things unclassified just by telling them to a foreign diplomat? "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Meh, asking and threatening coersion are two different things. I've already decided to ignore this one and see what develops in a week to see if there's also proof of coersion. It's not a stretch to say there is but we're not getting anywhere by dealing in opinions. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Headline: "Vladimir Putin says can prove Trump did not pass Russia secrets" Byline: Vladimir Putin is more than happy to help Trump cast shade on the US news industry. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-putin-idUSKCN18D1EA "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Obama has declared that since he was President when Hillary's email was hacked that it's his decision that none of the material is classified and it's OK if anything was shared with Russia. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Your definitions are based upon that wattsup website. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

You're right. Prayers are being answered. http://russia-insider.com/sites/insider/files/putin-praying-AP.jpg "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Lol, just another Trump gaff, not even worthy of it's own thread. You should just delete the thread. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

There is a real issue of Russia meddling in our election and Trump is doing more to harm that investigation by interjecting his ego into the affair. He is fucking clueless: Headline: Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Good natured ribbing: So did you try to think about baseball instead? It usually works for me. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Here we are at 10 months this Russia thing has been investigated. The whole thing started when someone became a felon and leaked info on Flynn. So if there is so much out there, why doesn't this same fellow leak the info from a call that seal the deal? And there you go putting words in peoples mouths again Bill. Shame...... Are you just quoting soundbites again. Trump also says that he wants the probe to be done properly, not that it's a 10 month old dead end. Here's the whole interview: http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/pres-trump-s-extended-exclusive-interview-with-lester-holt-at-the-white-house-941854787582 "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Actually you are standing with a few at MIT but don't let that change anything. Are we having trouble finding sources that are not on the payroll of groups like the Heartland Institute? I know we've talked about how scientists are lining their pockets with government grants by faking results so I'm looking for those independent researchers who prove them wrong. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Looks like a Republican led House and Senate recommending this "not a thing" to move forward and it looks like the media is reporting on news that the FBI has provided to them. Are we still having trouble with that definition of "fake news"? "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

18 US Code 1512: (b) Whoever knowingly uses intimidation, threatens, or corruptly persuades another person, or attempts to do so, or engages in misleading conduct toward another person, with intent to— (1) influence, delay, or prevent the testimony of any person in an official proceeding; Never mind that the guy who accused his predecessor of illegally wiretapping him, is now implying he illegally wiretapped the Director of the FBI. I foresee those tapes coming under subpoena very soon, especially since it's becoming obvious that Trump wishes Comey to declare fealty to him as if he was his personal employee and not a Federal Officer serving the interests of the citizens of the United States. These threats don't help out his cause. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Because he kept breaking the rules. Hell, the Dems all wanted him fired not too long ago. That presser he did about Hilary was a joke. He compromised himself. Trump did the right thing and it has nothing to do with Russia. And there is no there, there, in this whole Russia thing. Still no evidence. Nothing, zero, nada. You all are being led around by the media who has become your nose ring. Now Trump says that it DOES have to do with this whole Russia thing. He even calls is a "thing" "Trump told NBC's Lester Holt: "And in fact when I decided to just do it, I said to myself, I said 'you know, this Russia thing with Trump and Russia is a made-up story, it's an excuse by the Democrats for having lost an election that they should have won'." " http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/12/politics/trump-comey-russia-thing/ You should at least wait a few days for Trump's statements to solidify before speaking on his behalf. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

I know you're speaking to others besides me but I want to reiterate that it's public knowledge that Trump did not like the Russian investigation. Whether he took impeachable action is a different issue. I think his decision to fire Comey was influenced by the Russian investigation but was more about how he feels it affects his image than an effort to hide any wrong-doing by himself or his campaign staff. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/05/10/comey-firing-trump-russia-238192 Edit: After having written that thought it again boggles my mind that he's so vain that he would risk the appearance of a cover-up just because he's pissed that the investigation might make him look bad. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

I wonder if he would meet with Merkel without his wife there. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Awesome. I just sent that picture to just about everyone I know. "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

I'm sure he's becoming part of the investigation more and more. There was a point when he became an active participant in squashing the investigation. It's just a matter of whether he just yelled at staff members that he didn't like it or it can be proven that he actually took steps. I think it'll be too tricky to pin anything to him, too much opinion and politics in the way. There would have to be some discovered document that said, "I want Comey fired to thwart the investigation...etc." "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

Clearly Trump is not an individual associated with the Trump campaign. I doubt Trump personally made any moves (besides publicly enticing them to hack) to create collusion and he should be smart enough to just stay out of it and let the players fall who actually DID get involved. It's obvious to everyone but him that he's making a bigger mess out of it than it ever was. Part of his comment about Russian hacking during the elections is that it shows they have little respect for our country. He's not helping by thwarting the investigation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNa2B5zHfbQ "I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher