Top Democratic senator...: 'This may very well be the most important thing I do in my public life'

[babylonsister]

http://www.businessinsider.com/mark-warner-trump-russia-investigation-most-important-thing-2017-2

Top Democratic senator on Russia investigation: 'This may very well be the most important thing I do in my public life'

Eliza Relman
Feb. 24, 2017, 5:04 PM 88,223


After viewing classified materials as part of the Senate Intelligence Committee's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, Democratic Sen. Mark Warner told The New Yorker that he came away with a conclusion: The investigation "may very well be the most important thing I do in my public life.”

The Senate committee launched its inquiry after intelligence agencies determined that Russia was involved in hacking the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton's campaign in an effort to aid Trump's bid for the presidency.

Fearing the Trump administration would suppress information concerning the investigation, Warner — the ranking member on the committee — and six other of its members sent a public letter to President Barack Obama three weeks after the election requesting he declassify "additional information concerning the Russian Government and the US election."

"My increasing concern is that classification now is being used much more for political security than for national security. We wanted to get that out before a new administration took place," Sen. Ron Wyden, who also sits on the Intelligence Committee and signed on to the request for declassification, told The New Yorker. "I can’t remember seven senators joining a declassification request."

snip//


In an interview this week with Business Insider, Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said that Republicans in Congress have begun to take the accusations more seriously.

"I think it's all converging to a point where people are collectively holding their breath and we will see what is the next shoe to drop," Whitehouse said. "My personal observation is that there is very little goodwill for this man with Republicans in the Senate."

[elleng]

1. Republicans in Congress have begun to take the accusations more seriously.

In an interview this week with Business Insider, Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse said that Republicans in Congress have begun to take the accusations more seriously.

"I think it's all converging to a point where people are collectively holding their breath and we will see what is the next shoe to drop," Whitehouse said. "My personal observation is that there is very little goodwill for this man with Republicans in the Senate."

[still_one]

5. As long as they put political party, and their draconian agenda ahead of America nothing will happen

[lastlib]

14. Their masters will not allow them to deviate from the plan......

Any departure from the interests of the oligarchy to serve the peons will have dire consequences for the deviant ones.

"The puppet master does not play,
But gently pulls the strings,
and smiles as the puppets dance
In the court of the Crimson (Orange) King."

(apologies to Greg Lake, et al.)

[LiberalLovinLug]

25. Nice reference!

[Eyeball_Kid]

27. OT: King Crimson's Live/Toronto album- unsurpassed quality of production and performance.

Not affiliated with KC in any way. Just a long time listener.

[yesphan]

28. I have it,

I love it !

Hope to see them on their US tour.

[Ligyron]

33. Saw them at a Rock Fest in '69.

Twice actually, good harmony.

[lark]

36. Was one of them in West Palm Beach, FL?

If so, I was there!

[Ligyron]

41. Yeah, I was there!

Only 15 and had a blast.

The Rolling Stones closed down the show and it was COLD as hell that night for south FL.

[lark]

42. OMG, I remember it well.

Well, to be truthful, I remember it through a distinct drug filled haze. Joplin was my pick for best in show, Mick was a prick. Stones were really late and we were all freezing by the time they deigned to come onstage. It was an experience I will always remember,

[Ligyron]

43. Yeah Janice was great.

Did you see when she jammed with Johnny and Edgar Winter?

That was memorable...

[lark]

45. Yes, one of the real highlights of the festival.

So many good memories.

Heres a good story from then, although it started out bad. We had left the tent open while we were trekking to the toilets and it rained hard and our food was destroyed. We also had very little $ having spent all our spare money on tickets and food. I went out to see if I could find free food, but couldn't so made a sign & started panhandling. This guy came up, gave me a dollar and I thanked him on behalf of the 4 of us because we could get a cup of coffee for .25 ea. He walked on, but I kept seeing him around there talking to random people. A while later he comes back to me and gives me $40 that he had scrounged for us so we could eat. He also got the location of the free food line too. Still touches me with his kindness to this day.

[Ligyron]

46. Amazing story.

Those were the days when peace, love and sharing was a widespread ethic among the young and hip. Much different today, especially with the cons. Got mine - screw you snowflake.

That festival changed my whole outlook on humanity and I embraced the peace movement religiously and haven't changed much since.

Back then you could hitchhike across the country safely and if the right people picked you up, say, in a van, they'd get you high and vice verso.

You just felt the coming world was going to be amazing. Maybe it still can be.

[lark]

47. I hope and pray that's so.

Thanks for bringing back some excellent memories.

[wiggs]

21. If past is prologue, then we know that the only reason they want to be a part of

investigations is to minimize the damage and shape the conclusion. If the GOP ever admits to anything problematic, then you can be sure the truth is much worse.

[erronis]

35. Echo that. It's hard to imagine being a GrOPer, constantly

looking in your rear view mirrors, your side windows, and what's coming straight at you.

Looking to see what crap you have unleashed against the democracy that strangely got you into your little position of power.

Having fawning lobbyists and camp-followers saying "Mitch, you're the best turtle around", or "Whoa Ryan baby - look at them biceps" does not really make you a good representative of the needs of the US. Addicted to power, much?

I certainly hope that reality injects itself into your own little personal world-view. Slowly and painfully.

[angstlessk]

2. Let's us hope this goes somewhere!

[Cha]

3. KICK.. Mahalo, babylonsister WOW.. Make it so!

[bravenak]

4. He is right and histiry will honor those that stand up to fascism

Don't be a chamberlain.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

23. +

Nice reference, important reminder.

Now I gotta read up on Chamberlain some more. Important historical info, I think.

[bravenak]

24. This guy

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Chamberlain

Not a bad guy overall, but he did not see Hitler coming even though it seems like others saw what was happening, imo. His appeasement of Hitler is what I want us to avoid. We know better, he didn't.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

29. What you said---that's about all I know of that history.

Info junky herecwants more info!

[Chasstev365]

6. Not the House Republicans!

[global1]

7. Let's Hope The Shoe That Drops Is A.....

BOOT.

[zentrum]

8. Did Obama declassify

...or not?

[Amaryllis]

12. no.

[zentrum]

20. So we're screwed.

Since Rump is classifying them.

Wonder what Obama was thinking.

[lagomorph777]

30. Obama may have been thinking that many of the investigations' sources could end up dead.

And apparently they have, because Trump has access to the classified material on them.

[NRaleighLiberal]

9. getting the asshole out of office would be the most important thing anyone can do right now

for the good of the country and the world.

[2naSalit]

18. Man, that's the truth! ...nt

[Amaryllis]

10. Sen. Wyden also said there is nothing more important to him than getting to the bottom of this.

“There is nothing more important on my plate than getting to the bottom of this because it goes right to the heart of the legitimacy of the American government. I am prepared to use every single tool I have as a United States senator to get to the bottom of this. This will NOT be swept under the rug. (He said this several times emphatically, to standing ovations.)

I am insisting on subpoena power, open hearings, and am continuing to push to declassify information. You have a right to know this information now. They say it compromises sources and methods to have open hearings. It is baloney that you can’t have open hearings without compromising sources and methods. Don’t ever let a politician tell you that you have a choice between security or liberty. You’re entitled to both. “

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028675751
Took notes for you guys on what Sen. Wyden (Senate Intel) said about Russia/Trump in town hall today

And this:
Senator Wyden is Hell-bent on Getting Out the Truth About Trump and Russia (Mother Jones)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016177278

And this:
Wyden, cheered by Oregonians to probe a Trump-Russia connection, must keep up the fight: Editorial
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2017/02/wyden_cheered_by_oregonians_to.html

[raccoon]

37. Thank you for posting. nt

[ohheckyeah]

11. I'm proud of my

Senator (senator Warner)

[rusty quoin]

13. Me too

[blue neen]

15. We will need you to stand strong, Sen. Warner.

[Hekate]

16. That last sentence by Whitehouse is an eye-opener.Can hardly wait till Red Don rants at them on Tues

Can you just imagine him not ranting?

[JudyM]

17. Good to see Warner doing this. Planning to go represent us at his office with others this week.

[lillypaddle]

19. Dare we hope?

[radalpha]

22. Witting or unwitting pawn of Putin

Whether Trump knows or not, Bannon probably knows that every move the administration makes is quietly supporting Putin and Russia's position in the world. Ironically, it was the United States clever strategy that took down the Soviet Union that is now being directed back at us, to take us down. We didn't take down the USSR in a war, we turned their friends against them, destabilized their political structure by causing internal division, and most importantly, started an arms war that nearly bankrupted the country so they could no longer afford their ambitions. Poof, they were gone.

Similarly, Trump is cooperating with Russia by creating division within the European Union, picking fights with friends (e.g. Mexico, Australia, Germany, etc.), disrupting NATO, interfering in our elections, fomenting internal dissension, playing loose and fast with the facts, attempting to discredit the media and will finally damage our financial system through reckless military spending, and deficit infrastructure plans.

If we don't protect our democracy, we won't have a democracy in the future.

[lagomorph777]

31. Witting. Enthusiastically witting.

Though rather witless when it comes to managing a cover-up, it seems.

[raccoon]

38. Your post gives me a lot to think about. nt

[Eliot Rosewater]

26. Anybody from or affiliated with Russia who can confirm what we think we know, is dead.

Putin doesnt fuck around.


http://www.anonews.co/russian-diplomats-died/


https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2727446/russian-spy-donald-trump-dirty-dossier-dead-car-moscow/

[lagomorph777]

32. Yeah, and that's pretty good evidence right there.

Total backfire.

[malaise]

34. K & R

A Special Prosecutor is a must

[Angry Dragon]

39. kick

[kerry-is-my-prez]

40. Damn Right!

[red dog 1]

44. K&R!

Fearing the Trump administration would suppress information concerning the investigation, Warner - the ranking member on the committee - and six other of it's members sent a public letter to President Barack Obama three weeks after the election requesting he declassify "additional information concerning the Russian Government and the US election"???

Sen. Ron Wyden, who also sits on the Intelligence Committee & signed on to the request for declassification, told the New Yorker: "I can't remember seven senators joining a declassification request."???

WTF?

Why the hell didn't President Obama declassify the "additional information concerning the Russian Government and the US election"?

What in God's name was Obama afraid of?

Was he afraid that if he did declassify the requested information that something "bad" would happen?

What the hell could be worse than what we have now?

THANKS, Obama....Thank you very much!