General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIt's not stonewalling folks.
There weren't going to be any bombshells today.
First of all, the subject of the hearing is technically section 702 and not the Russian investigation. Though we all knew where questions were going to go.
These gentlemen absolutely know more than they are saying, and clearly many of the Senators are well aware they know more than they are saying.
This is political theater while the real work is continuing with Mueller. It's entirely possible the wrong thing said could interfere with Mueller's investigation. Frankly, I'd rather they play it close to the vest if it means the Trump Family Criminal Enterprise gets taken down with absolutely no loose ends.
Could there be some CYA involved? Of course.
Are they protecting Trump? I'm not getting that impression. I think they are protecting the integrity of the investigation.
ETA: Yes, I know by definition (not answering) it's stonewalling, but I'm getting the sense that enough people think stonewalling means they are colluding with the GOP when I don't think that's it at all.
avebury
(10,952 posts)C_U_L8R
(45,003 posts)MuseRider
(34,111 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,059 posts)HAB911
(8,893 posts)Response to BumRushDaShow (Reply #2)
Pacifist Patriot This message was self-deleted by its author.
BumRushDaShow
(129,059 posts)is how and what they answer in closed briefing and the Senate committee confirms that they received the answers they needed (without giving away anything).
Otherwise they have a problem.
SCRUBDASHRUB
(7,252 posts)Pacifist Patriot
(24,653 posts)BumRushDaShow
(129,059 posts)BainsBane
(53,034 posts)Pacifist Patriot
(24,653 posts)herding cats
(19,564 posts)I wonder if we'll get any leaks from it?
annabanana
(52,791 posts)It sound to me like it's going to be the tech people on the 702
Grammy23
(5,810 posts)Maybe not so much about Fisa Court, but the direct questions about tRump interfering with the Russia investigation. I would rather read it and digest what they said. Sometimes you need to think about it without interpreting on the fly what they meant.
I guess we were all hoping that this mess would be revealed today. It won't come to a head today, but we've had strong hints that it WILL come out, probably in a classified setting. Not very satisfying, I know, but that where it appears to be headed. 2 p.m. This afternoon is a classified setting but Burr is saying that meeting is already set. So may not be able to fit in this morning's panel. Guess we'll have to wait and see what they do.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,653 posts)alcibiades_mystery
(36,437 posts)They are simply making the decision to not answer this or that question.
This is contempt of Congress, but because the Congress is controlled by people who will absolutely refuse to enforce Congress' powers, we are now in a fully-blown Constitutional crisis. Members of the Administration are acting in total contempt and defiance of the US Congress under ZERO FUCKING AUTHORITY.
That's a Constitutional crisis.
tallahasseedem
(6,716 posts)halobeam
(4,873 posts)exboyfil
(17,863 posts)request the chair find them in contempt for failure to respond to a question?
B2G
(9,766 posts)leftstreet
(36,108 posts)itcfish
(1,828 posts)investigation will go nowhere. They want this puppet in office and he will remain there for 8 years. Stop dreaming.
Pacifist Patriot
(24,653 posts)Here's hoping you have the same insight as Granny. 😊
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)itcfish
(1,828 posts)Believe there is a "John Dean" in that whole bunch.
lostnfound
(16,179 posts)Mueller and others involved presumably have a goal of a thorough and accurate investigation, "however long it takes". It's no skin off their back if it takes 3 years or 5, and in the meantime, criminals will continue their regressive actions,justices appointed, demlralizing career bureaucrats and the public, and potentially major changes in the fabric of American social and economic life rammed through by a drunk and compromised GOP and signed by a president with nothing to lose.
As long as the investigation can be lauded in the history books as brilliant, does Mueller etc. care how long it takes?
roamer65
(36,745 posts)That's why they are clamming up. Something very significant is being covered up.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)with Trump, Manafort, Page, Kushner, et alii aiding and abetting Putin and the Russian bankers/oligarchs.
I believe this plot was devised possibly decades ago, when Trump, Inc., became indebted beyond his foreseeable means to pay. Blackmail over both sex tapes and also money laundering via Trump hotels, casinos, golf courses, etc., has kept Trump in their control.
Trump could erase his immense debt only with his very life, and perhaps the lives of his heirs.
Or with the Prize of the "Cold" War: the United States government.
Russians don't play. But they DO take a calculated gamble. They plotted to see that Trump became the nominee, and we know about the national election.
Significant bribes to Party members were likely part and parcel of the COUP.
I have no doubt that our govt officials do NOT want to uncover everything, for fear of shaking up the political and GEOpolitical worlds beyond imagination. The rabbit hole of Republican treason is as one of those Siberian sinkholes: extremely wide and deep, and extremely difficult to get to the bottom of.
Eventually the Republicans will be persuaded by the committee Democrats to get Trump to resign.
If Trump fights this, you'll know Russia is in charge.
IMO!
deminks
(11,014 posts)He said if it is, let's hear about it. If not, then why won't they answer the question.
Rogers said something like I don't feel like that is appropriate in a public session.
King then informed him that what you feel like, admiral, is not relevant. Check and mate.
It is wonderful sometimes to be independent.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/6/7/1669660/-Coats-and-Rogers-refusal-to-answer-questions-has-senators-boiling-mad
So, did the presinut invoke executive privilege with these two and not announce it? even on twitter?
peggysue2
(10,829 posts)Though disappointing, these 'will neither confirm or deny' answers during an active investigation isn't that surprising and doesn't mean that these men are Trumpy supporters. I, too, would rather have the cards played close to the vest to ensure that the Trumpsters don't wriggle off the hook. I am encouraged by Clapper's comments in Australia, which were far more definitive than expressed during American interviews. Worse than Watergate, he said. And will American institutions survive the on-going assault? he mused. That last part is the critical, scary part.
I truly do not believe that the men on that panel are going to acquiesce to the Grifter in the WH. All things in good time, the right time.
That being said, I thought Angus King was terrific during the inquiry. His frustration and anger is a reflection of many Americans.
I'm now listening to Trump tell everyone that people were perfectly happy with their healthcare before the ACA. He obviously has forgotten or was not paying attention to the 70% public support for healthcare reform during the 2008 election.
But what else is new?
displacedtexan
(15,696 posts)It's as simple as that.
redstatebluegirl
(12,265 posts)anything that will hurt them later.
OhNo-Really
(3,985 posts)or, if unavoidable, not covered from head to toe by innocence and/or plausible deniability.
At least no one pleaded the 5th.