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Oman and Bahrain to follow UAE in normalizing Israel ties
Today's Headlines
Headline Comments [Views]
Page 6: Politix
6 19:40 Procopius2k [] 
3 15:36 Frank G [2] 
12 22:48 JohnQC [] 
2 11:14 Skidmark [] 
3 10:33 magpie [1] 
20 20:53 Clem [5] 
9 19:36 swksvolFF [] 
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Page 4: Opinion
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1 03:44 g(r)omgoru [1]
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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Ex-FBI lawyer charged with felony, to plead guilty to altering evidence in Russia probe
[Just The News] Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith was charged Friday with a felony and has agreed to plead guilty to altering a document in the Russia collusion probe, the first criminal case to be brought in the investigation of U.S. Attorney John Durham, according to officials and a court document.

Ahead of his plea, Clinesmith was charged in federal court in Washington D.C. with one count of making a false statement for altering information he had received from the CIA in June 2017 to hide the fact that Trump campaign official Carter Page was a source for the Agency.
And very likely a 'source' for the FBI as well.
The alteration caused the Justice Department to make a false representation to the FISA Court that approved surveillance of Page for nearly a year, the criminal information filed by Durham states.
Are we really expected to believe that the Bureau was conducting surveillance on a registered Agency intelligence source and the Agency was not fully aware? Please ladies and gentlemen, just foking please.
Clinesmith "did willfully and knowingly make and use a false writing and document knowing the same to contain a materially false, fictitious and fraudulent statement and entry in a matter before the jurisdiction of the executive branch and judicial branch," the court filing said.

You can read the charging document here.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/14/2020 14:52 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  2 bureaus to go.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 08/14/2020 15:29 Comments || Top||

#2  Hat tip to Durham. One down, many more to go.

Psssst psssst...! Please provide the 'distro line' of the Bureau surveillance reporting. Asking for a friend.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/14/2020 15:32 Comments || Top||

#3  Please provide the 'distro line' of the Bureau surveillance reporting.

I suspect the coming series of reports like this will make that perfectly clear, Besoeker. The disgust voiced by Rantburg’s own retired FBI long since suggested what would happen once their comrades were loosed to hunt.

I note in passing that it was repeatedly stated that President Trump was not the object of the FBI’s Russia collusion probe, and so take any statements about former president Obama in the same spirit, even as Senator Mitt Romney’s committee prepares the field by flooding it with sunshine.
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/14/2020 17:38 Comments || Top||

#4  /\ There are legal and statutory provisions (very long standing established processes which will go unnamed in this forum) for the utilization, sharing, or exploitation of US Intelligence (USI) community assets. The central hub of this process is, yes of course, you've guessed it.

To think everyone was caught unawares or uninformed is simply crazy talk.
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/14/2020 17:46 Comments || Top||

#5  The depth and breadth of my continued ignorance on such matters (because no, I haven’t guessed it) is a credit to the circumspection of all those here who ought to be, Besoeker. In short, I still have only a vague idea of what all that means, so well done!
Posted by: trailing wife || 08/14/2020 18:52 Comments || Top||

#6  And now the practical application of the Prisoner's Dilemma.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/14/2020 19:40 Comments || Top||


-Short Attention Span Theater-
When I think the ‘stupidity meter’ is already pegged out: Wisconsin official orders employees to wear masks on teleconferences, even when home alone


[BizPakReview] Wisconsin state agency tells employees to wear masks during Zoom calls, even if home alone. State workers urged to set safety example for others.

A Wisconsin official ordered employees to wear face masks when they're teleconferencing;even when they're at home alone and at zero risk of contracting or spreading the coronavirus.

Natural Resources spokeswoman Megan Sheridan told McClatchy News that employees wearing masks while video conferencing sends a visual reminder to external partners that they're adhering to safe practices.

Preston Cole is the secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Cole was appointed to the position in 2018 by Democrat Governor Tony Evers.

Cole has a bachelor's degree in forest management from the University of Missouri. He previously was a parks superintendent in St. Louis. But now he's a self-anointed coronavirus expert.

In a laughable July 31 email, Cole urged his employees to wear face masks on video conferences even when nobody else is around at home. This defies logic and science.
"And a condom. Just in case"
Republican Wisconsin state representative Joe Sanfelippo rubbished Preston Cole's suggestion, saying it’s epically stupid to wear masks at home alone.

He said it’s typical of Democrats to promote empty gestures rather than make useful suggestions that actually help people.

"I’m more inclined to support things that actually do help, as opposed to just putting on an appearance of helping," Sanfelippo said.Republican Wisconsin state representative Joe Sanfelippo rubbished Preston Cole's suggestion, saying it’s epically stupid to wear masks at home alone.

He said it’s typical of Democrats to promote empty gestures rather than make useful suggestions that actually help people.

"I’m more inclined to support things that actually do help, as opposed to just putting on an appearance of helping," Sanfelippo said.


We have a family member that has worked there for some 30 years. Sent a message this morning to confirm. DNR more scared of the virus or being caught not virtue signaling at the right time?
Posted by: Woodrow || 08/14/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  As America becomes more like places where cargo cults spring up, expect more cargo cults in America.

Vibrant!
Posted by: charger || 08/14/2020 0:17 Comments || Top||

#2  Conform. Obey.
Posted by: Rex Mundi || 08/14/2020 1:07 Comments || Top||

#3  Thou shalt not commingle to kibitz,
Remaining apart by ten cubits;
Yea, cover thy hole
As comes nigh Dr. Cole,
Even stop up thy ears
When this Preston appears,
That thou catch not his biblical stupits.
Posted by: Phavins Angusolet4549 || 08/14/2020 2:50 Comments || Top||

#4  Tells you everything you need to know about mask orders
Posted by: Speng Snaviting6874 || 08/14/2020 7:38 Comments || Top||

#5  I think I see the problem.
Posted by: H-T-A || 08/14/2020 7:51 Comments || Top||

#6  because when i look for a model to base my own behavior on, i look to government employees
Posted by: Bob Grorong1136 || 08/14/2020 8:02 Comments || Top||

#7  Pandemic (anagram of DemPanic) of stupidity? Kind of like driving around alone in your car with a mask.
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/14/2020 9:51 Comments || Top||

#8  Its not about the virus, its about bending the knee.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 08/14/2020 10:59 Comments || Top||

#9  You Must Wear a Mask
When You Are in Bed
Even While Searching
On the Interwebs

China Plague
Posted by: swksvolFF || 08/14/2020 19:36 Comments || Top||


-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
Donald Trump hints at FIRING his FBI director Chris Wray over claims he is covering up misconduct in the Russia probe - and steps up demands for AG Bill Barr to launch prosecutions
Moving the Overton Window.
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news]
  • President Trump hinted he could fire FBI director Christopher Wray over unproven allegations he is stalling on cooperating with the Russia probe

  • 'I wish he was more forthcoming. He certainly hasn't been,' Trump told Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo

  • The FBI is one of Trump's favorite punching bags

  • The president also said he hoped Attorney General Bill Barr would launch prosecutions soon in the matter of the investigations into his tenure

  • 'Bill Barr has a chance to be the greatest of all time, but if he wants to be politically correct he’ll be just another guy,' he said
Posted by: Skidmark || 08/14/2020 11:33 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


#2  Kevin Clinesmith to plead guilty to making a false statement.

Underwhelming.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 08/14/2020 13:11 Comments || Top||

#3  role up his boss with a plea deal
Posted by: Frank G || 08/14/2020 13:32 Comments || Top||

#4  ^ That would be great, but I don't see it. He's going to lose his law license, he needs to be a "stand up guy" to land his next gig.
Posted by: M. Murcek || 08/14/2020 13:49 Comments || Top||

#5  True but he's toxic now. What white shoe law firm is gonna hire him?
Posted by: Frank G || 08/14/2020 13:53 Comments || Top||

#6  ^ That's what I meant about him losing his license. He's gonna need a gig outside practicing law. Some cushy think tank or non-profit type thing where all the money is sluicing through from "donors."
Posted by: M. Murcek || 08/14/2020 14:07 Comments || Top||

#7  Daily Caller: he has a "cooperation agreement"

Posted by: Frank G || 08/14/2020 14:26 Comments || Top||

#8  at Ace: @paulsperry_
20m

Sources: Former deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe in legal jeopardy in wake of Clinesmith plea deal
Posted by: Frank G || 08/14/2020 15:31 Comments || Top||

#9  Brennan knew the deal. Comey knew the deal. Wray knows the deal. Nobody wants to come clean.

The weasel in the graphic was a witting 'Deep State' plant inside the Trump campaign. Come on somebody, OUT with it !
Posted by: Besoeker || 08/14/2020 15:45 Comments || Top||

#10  Fire Barr while you are at it, Mr. Prez.
Posted by: Clem || 08/14/2020 17:43 Comments || Top||

#11  Hell yes Clem. Barr should have been charging traitors two years ago!
Posted by: Woodrow || 08/14/2020 22:17 Comments || Top||

#12  It is not obvious Wray is doing anything to clean up the horrendous mess left behind by the Obama administration. Maybe he is not the right man to head up the FBI.
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/14/2020 22:48 Comments || Top||


-Land of the Free
Ninth Circuit Rules Against California Ban on ‘Large Capacity Mags'
Thank you Trump for flipping this looney court!
[Breitbart] The ruling came in Duncan vs. Becerra, which was appealed to an en banc hearing by the Ninth Circuit after a three-judge panel of the circuit upheld an injunction against the ban, issued by U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez.

Benitez issued his injunction on June 29, 2017, and that decision was upheld by a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit on July 17, 2018, Breitbart News reported.

An August 14, 2020, en banc decision from the Ninth Circuit ruled the ban on LCMs unconstitutional.

The Ninth Circuit’s ruling against California’s ban on LCMs says:

We also want to make clear that our decision today does not address issues not before us. We do not opine on bans on so-called "assault weapons," nor do we speculate about the legitimacy of bans on magazines holding far larger quantities of ammunition. Instead, we only address California’s ban on LCMs as it appears before us. We understand the purpose in passing this law. But even the laudable goal of reducing gun violence must comply with the Constitution. California’s near-categorical ban of LCMs infringes on the fundamental right to self-defense. It criminalizes the possession of half of all magazines in America today.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra now has the option of the appealing the ruling to the Supreme Court of the United States.
Watch for the pressure and supposed blackmail on Roberts to get him to flip left on this
Posted by: DarthVader || 08/14/2020 14:11 || Comments || Link || [2 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg may already be dead. Her staff are probably playing reruns during their virtual sessions, sinse she never says much during hearings.
Posted by: Vespasian Ebbereng3110 || 08/14/2020 15:09 Comments || Top||

#2  *correction* since she never has the ENERGY to say much during sessions.
Posted by: Vespasian Ebbereng3110 || 08/14/2020 15:12 Comments || Top||

#3  Expect sales >>>inventory I'm in as soon as the online stores' lawyers digest the ruling and OK sales
Posted by: Frank G || 08/14/2020 15:36 Comments || Top||


US to ease water rules after Trump's shower moan
[PUBLISH.TWITTER]
The US government is looking at easing regulations on shower fittings following complaints from President Donald Trump who has regularly railed against water conservation rules in his quest for “perfect hair.”

On Wednesday the Department of Energy (DOE) said it was proposing to amend the definition of a showerhead to allow multiple showerheads on a single fitting, which would get around water conservation measures brought in under president George H.W. Bush.

The 1992 rules established a maximum water use of 2.5 gallons per minute for showers but the amendment means that will apply to each showerhead rather than a single shower fitting.

The announcement comes after Trump complained about the lack of water pressure in showers.
Posted by: Fred || 08/14/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Awesome
Posted by: Speng Snaviting6874 || 08/14/2020 7:37 Comments || Top||

#2  But we can still shower with a partner?
Posted by: Skidmark || 08/14/2020 11:14 Comments || Top||


Cyber
From Twitter: Distribution of Employee Political Donations at Big Tech Firms
"But charger! These numbers may be skewed by the overwhelming proportion of contributions by top execs!"

All the more reason to distrust these firms. If their top execs skew left, then so shall the employees in any decision that affects non-lefty representation on their platforms, etc.

"But charger! As good little spergatarians with Free Market Princuhpullz, it is our solemn duty to run interference for technogarchs that hate our guts! Princapullz, darn it! Ooh, just got my check from Alphabet!"


Posted by: charger || 08/14/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Why shouldn't they buy off those playing the crowd that screams "soak the rich"? It's a game. They 'raise taxes' but write in loopholes galore so their donors pay but a only little bit more. The sheep don't grasp how the game is played. Wonder how all those congresscritters who stay around long enough are millionaires? /rhet question
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/14/2020 7:51 Comments || Top||

#2  How many of those contributions were Voluntary versus the office manager's 'pet employee' telling you that "It would be a great idea if you donated to the Boss' favorite charity [the DNC]..." ?
Posted by: magpie || 08/14/2020 10:28 Comments || Top||

#3  /\ The same Public Disclosure of Political Donations (see above) can be used in a totalitarian fashion. Welcome to our version of Soviet Russia or 1930's Germany where all of the promotions factor in your donations to the ruling party.
Posted by: magpie || 08/14/2020 10:33 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
Democrat Rule: Minneapolis Requires Owners of Businesses Destroyed in Riots to Pay Remaining 2020 Taxes Before They Receive Permit to Remove Burned Down Remains


Posted by: Woodrow || 08/14/2020 00:00 || Comments || Link || [5 views] Top|| File under: Antifa/BLM

#1  I've done business with Don Blyly over the years, and it infuriates me every time I think about what happened to Uncle Hugo's.
Posted by: Secret Master || 08/14/2020 2:09 Comments || Top||

#2  That has to increase the temptation for a business to just walk away from this rotten nonsense. Reminds me of that scene from "Goodfellas": "Business problems? Pay me!"

Next comes the City threatening fines for not cleaning up your rubbled property.
Posted by: SteveS || 08/14/2020 2:16 Comments || Top||

#3  Bee?!?
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 08/14/2020 4:09 Comments || Top||

#4  Take a truck load of debris and dump in the front of the city council members and mayors house.
Posted by: Airandee || 08/14/2020 6:18 Comments || Top||

#5  These idiot Dims projected an annual revenue forecast for the year before they joined the rioters who destroyed the tax paying businesses that feeds that forecast. After Trump denied their request for aid they now are going after business owners who were wiped out. Since they always run deep deficits their idiotic support of criminal looting and destruction means the businesses should tell them to go straight to hell, even if they can't meet city payroll the rest of the year.
Posted by: Vespasian Ebbereng3110 || 08/14/2020 6:51 Comments || Top||

#6  Funny how extortion is a crime for you & me but not for the government.
Posted by: Clem || 08/14/2020 7:10 Comments || Top||

#7  Just write off the deed and claim to the property to the county. It's yours bud.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 08/14/2020 7:53 Comments || Top||

#8  #6 That's why so many people want to become government.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 08/14/2020 7:57 Comments || Top||

#9  didn't the Soviet Union bill the families for the cost of the bullet that was used to dispatch their loved one?
Posted by: Bob Grorong1136 || 08/14/2020 7:57 Comments || Top||

#10  They really want to be dragged from their homes and hanged in front of the capital, don't they?
Posted by: DarthVader || 08/14/2020 8:58 Comments || Top||

#11  #9 - I think it was China: "Eating the peanut"
Posted by: Frank G || 08/14/2020 9:03 Comments || Top||

#12  Next up: You will not be allowed to close your business and leave the city. Because doing so would be a hate crime.
Posted by: CrazyFool || 08/14/2020 9:45 Comments || Top||

#13  Tell the local government to reassess the property tax first.... The property is now "unimproved", or worse, status.
Posted by: magpie || 08/14/2020 9:54 Comments || Top||

#14  Rates right up there with: "Having been asked to come to New York City to help with the COVID-19 crisis, disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse (SP) has been told it must pay state taxes for the time it spent running its free-of-charge field hospital in Central Park."
Posted by: JohnQC || 08/14/2020 10:08 Comments || Top||

#15  And to add insult to injury when the owner finally gets the rubble cleared Moronapolis will either a) deny any building permits for "reasons" or b) increase the property value because now it open space.
Posted by: Cheaderhead || 08/14/2020 16:24 Comments || Top||

#16  This will end up like Somalia.
Posted by: rjschwarz || 08/14/2020 17:51 Comments || Top||

#17  What...
Why the hell should they need a permit to remove the rubble?
Posted by: CrazyFool || 08/14/2020 18:22 Comments || Top||

#18  CF, in big (Democratic run) cities, you need a permit to do ANYTHING.
Be appreciative that they don't require a permit ot breathe (yet, anyway).
That's where the opportunity for graft is.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia || 08/14/2020 19:26 Comments || Top||

#19  So I would guess the rioters had a permit to create the rubble right?
Posted by: CrazyFool || 08/14/2020 19:40 Comments || Top||

#20  @ #7 - Didn't they do that in Ancient Rome?
Posted by: Clem || 08/14/2020 20:53 Comments || Top||



Who's in the News
39[untagged]
7Antifa/BLM
6Taliban
5Sublime Porte
5PLO
4Hezbollah
2Tin Hat Dictators, Presidents for Life, & Kleptocrats
2Govt of Iran
2Govt of Iraq
2Islamic State
2Muslim Brotherhood
1Arab Spring
1Palestinian Authority
1Houthis
1Hamas
1Human Trafficking
1Commies

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A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.

Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.

Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has dominated Mexico for six years.
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Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
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Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
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Besoeker
Glenmore
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Two weeks of WOT
Fri 2020-08-14
  Oman and Bahrain to follow UAE in normalizing Israel ties
Thu 2020-08-13
  Diplomatic relations between Israel and UAE
Wed 2020-08-12
  Turkish strike kills Iraqi border guards, Iraqi military says
Tue 2020-08-11
  Seattle police chief to resign following department cuts
Mon 2020-08-10
  Lebanese Prime Minister announces resignation of government
Sun 2020-08-09
  Lebanese Army evacuates protestors from government buildings
Sat 2020-08-08
  Portland mayor unleashes police on violent demonstrations
Fri 2020-08-07
  Pakistain Borrows $1 Billion from Chinese Peter To Pay Back $1 Billion Saudi Paul
Thu 2020-08-06
  DOJ Atty reveals 300 domestic terrorists investigations have been opened since May 28th
Wed 2020-08-05
  Death toll from Beirut blast reaches 100 but is expected to rise even further
Tue 2020-08-04
  Beruit goes BOOM!
Mon 2020-08-03
  Israel army says it has foiled a terror attack at the border with Syria
Sun 2020-08-02
  Turkish brig.-gen. executed for revealing Qatari funding of jihadists
Sat 2020-08-01
  Turkey Sends Fighter Jets to Azerbaijan After Threat to Bomb a Nuclear Power Plant
Fri 2020-07-31
  Indonesian Court Convicts, Sentences Top 2 Jemaah Islamiyah Militants


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