The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

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The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

Might as well get the ball rolling to talk about the reign of terror Trump is going to unleash.


BREAKING: The U.S. Treasury Dept. has complied with Republican Senators’ requests for highly sensitive and closely-held financial records about Hunter Biden and his associates and turned over “‘evidence’ of questionable origin” to them
By questionable origin - the rumor is that Treasury didn't just turn over Hunter Biden tax returns but also SARs which are highly controlled and protected by law from disclosure.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »


BREAKING: White House is weighing plan to dismiss Alexander Vindman from National Security Council after he testified in impeachment inquiry, a move that will be part of a broader effort to shrink Trump admin foreign policy bureaucracy, sources tell me
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by Drazzil »

Remember how most dictators end.
Daehawk wrote:Thats Drazzil's chair damnit.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by LawBeefaroni »

Drazzil wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:17 am Remember how most dictators end.
Remember what a nation goes through to get to that ending.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

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Drazzil wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:17 am Remember how most dictators end.
We are still at the purge and remove by photoshop stage.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by LordMortis »

LawBeefaroni wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:24 am
Drazzil wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 12:17 am Remember how most dictators end.
Remember what a nation goes through to get to that ending.
And specfically its people. :(

Fortunately we're not a dictatorship until the vote is demonstrably meaningless. Unfortunately, I think a more realistic fear is that we're >< this close to populist unrest breaking out and going in a direction I can't foresee. We've been sitting on a powderkeg for a long time but the fuse was never lit until these last six or ten years.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

It's (edit: nearly) official - Vindman out at NSC. He doesn't hide the reason either but that's the point.


Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a key impeachment witness, will be reassigned from the White House. “I’m not happy with him,” President Trump said.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by LordMortis »

This was something of slap, attributed to someone by the name of Patrick Farley:
There's somebody I owe an apology to.

In 7th grade I wrote a book report about George Orwell's 1984. (Great book by the way; if you haven't read it already, definitely do so.) One of the questions I had to answer in the report was, "What part of the book seemed most unrealistic to you?"

That was easy. There's a scene somewhere in the first half of the book, where the hero Winston Smith is hanging out in a cafe during his off hours, drinking "Victory Gin" - the only alcoholic beverage the government of this benighted world allows its citizens to drink. The telescreen pauses in its steady babble of war updates to announce that a former Hero of the Nation has just been executed for treason. They flash his face up on the screen for a few seconds... and Winston realizes there's a picture of this guy's face on the label of the gin he's drinking.

That's how famous and well-loved this guy was, up until this very second. His face was literally on every bottle of gin in Britain.

Winston looks around the cafe and sees that everyone is now silently reaching for their own bottles of Victory Gin, and using their thumbnails to casually scratch the man's face off the label. Nobody remarks on it, they just do it, with the kind of nonchalant gesture you'd use to shoo away a fly or adjust your shirt collar.

Winston, not wanting to arouse suspicion, does the same.

In a matter of seconds, the one-time Hero of the Nation has not only fallen out of favor, he's ceased to exist altogether. He's become, in the language of Orwell's dystopia, an "unperson."


Now, as a 12 year old, I thought this whole scene was ridiculous. Human beings, whatever our faults, are not machines. Even in a tightly controlled authoritarian state, I thought, you can't just declare a popular hero a villain, and announce, "Oh and by the way, we killed him," without some organic resistance from the people. After all, people form emotional bonds with their heroes; you can’t just flip a switch and turn love into hate, and then turn hate into forgetting them completely. Right?

So that's what I wrote in my book report. "This scene is bogus! People don't do that in real life!" Etc. I think I got a B+ on the report but I don't remember.

Anyhow, if you’re wondering why I’m thinking about this tonight, go over to Twitter and do a search on “Mitt Romney” and read what rank-and-file Republicans are saying about him.

Eight years ago, Mitt Romney was the beloved leader of the Republican Party, the man they insisted was best qualified to be the 45th President of the United States.

Tonight? He’s a traitor, a communist, a moral degenerate, and an international criminal guilty of more crimes than you can shake a MAGA hat at.

Just like that, Mitt Romney is an unperson.

And just like that, I owe George Orwell a huge apology.

Sorry to have doubted you, Mr. Orwell. I guess I just didn't *want* it to be true.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by LawBeefaroni »

What's worse is that Romney's only refuge, the Democrats, will basically prove his guilt as far as Trump Nation is concerned.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by Kraken »

Romney seemed sincerely guided by his religious convictions -- just about the only thing Mitt truly believes -- but I think he's also got one eye on picking up the shattered pieces of the GOP after their dictator dies. They must still have a sane wing, deep underground, and its survivors will reemerge someday to form a new party or rebuild the broken one.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by coopasonic »

Kraken wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 3:09 pm Romney seemed sincerely guided by his religious convictions -- just about the only thing Mitt truly believes -- but I think he's also got one eye on picking up the shattered pieces of the GOP after their dictator dies. They must still have a sane wing, deep underground, and its survivors will reemerge someday to form a new party or rebuild the broken one.
He's 72. I don't see him rejuvenating the party.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by Kraken »

coopasonic wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 4:48 pm
Kraken wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 3:09 pm Romney seemed sincerely guided by his religious convictions -- just about the only thing Mitt truly believes -- but I think he's also got one eye on picking up the shattered pieces of the GOP after their dictator dies. They must still have a sane wing, deep underground, and its survivors will reemerge someday to form a new party or rebuild the broken one.
He's 72. I don't see him rejuvenating the party.
Good point. Maybe he aspires to be the new John McCain instead.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by LordMortis »

coopasonic wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 4:48 pm
Kraken wrote: Fri Feb 07, 2020 3:09 pm Romney seemed sincerely guided by his religious convictions -- just about the only thing Mitt truly believes -- but I think he's also got one eye on picking up the shattered pieces of the GOP after their dictator dies. They must still have a sane wing, deep underground, and its survivors will reemerge someday to form a new party or rebuild the broken one.
He's 72. I don't see him rejuvenating the party.
Wow. He's a much better 72 than POTUS is 73. At least by appearance equating to health sake.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

They just escorted Vindman out of the White House. Is that 1 or 2 furrowed Collins brows worth of inappropriate?

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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

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Absolutely disgusting. This country is in free fall. The brother wasn't even involved. The message couldn't be clearer. Loyalty or we punish everyone including your families.

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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

Graham is apparently planning to go after the whistleblower as well.

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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

Sondland out as well. We're circling the drain. It isn't that Sondland was great or even a decent ambassador. He was in a puff post. The messaging is crystal clear. Snitches get stitches.

Last edited by malchior on Fri Feb 07, 2020 8:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by Enough »

Well crap, didn't see this thread. But Sondland is gone now too. :violin:
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by YellowKing »

Susan Collins: "I obviously am not in favor of any kind of retribution against anyone who came forward with evidence."

That lady is a piece of work.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

NY Times

So let's get this straight, they were trying to protect the sleazy guy who bought his puff ambassadorship, was directly involved in the scheme, and was backed into testifying after he was caught lying. And they weren't moved by the military member who was subpoenaed and lawfully appeared. Seems on brand for the GOP.
WASHINGTON — A handful of Republican senators tried to stop President Trump from firing Gordon D. Sondland, the ambassador to the European Union who testified in the House impeachment hearings, but the president relieved the diplomat of his post anyway, according to people briefed on the discussions.

The senators were concerned that it would look bad for Mr. Trump to dismiss Mr. Sondland and argued that it was unnecessary, since the ambassador was already talking with senior officials about leaving after the Senate trial, the people said. The senators told White House officials that Mr. Sondland should be allowed to depart on his own terms, which would have reduced any political backlash.

...

Ms. Collins said Saturday that her lesson comment had been misinterpreted and that she had earlier noted that she did not support retribution. “The lesson that I hoped the president had learned was that he should not enlist the help of a foreign government in investigating a political rival,” she said in a statement to The New York Times. “It had absolutely nothing to do with whether or not he should fire people who testified in a way that he perceived as harmful to him.”

The senators did not express the same concern about Colonel Vindman, who is viewed less sympathetically by the president’s allies. Republicans considered some of Colonel Vindman’s comments during his testimony overtly political and, in any case, believed it was untenable for him to remain on the staff of a president with whom he broke so publicly.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

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Trump has "discussed removing Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the IC... Trump has expressed frustration that Atkinson allowed a whistleblower report documenting Trump’s alleged misconduct toward Ukraine to be transmitted to Congress."
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »


Top Trump Advisor says Romney might face violence at CPAC
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by LordMortis »

malchior wrote: Sun Feb 09, 2020 8:45 am
Trump has "discussed removing Michael Atkinson, the inspector general of the IC... Trump has expressed frustration that Atkinson allowed a whistleblower report documenting Trump’s alleged misconduct toward Ukraine to be transmitted to Congress."
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

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malchior wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:37 am
Top Trump Advisor says Romney might face violence at CPAC
Fucking cult.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by El Guapo »

gbasden wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:44 pm
malchior wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:37 am
Top Trump Advisor says Romney might face violence at CPAC
Fucking cult.
However, Romney would be safe, because CPAC sensibly bans guns from the conference and enforces that via metal detectors. Because they may be rabid ideologues, but they're not idiots.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by gbasden »

El Guapo wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:52 pm
gbasden wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:44 pm
malchior wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:37 am
Top Trump Advisor says Romney might face violence at CPAC
Fucking cult.
However, Romney would be safe, because CPAC sensibly bans guns from the conference and enforces that via metal detectors. Because they may be rabid ideologues, but they're not idiots.
It's just insane though - this was their party nominee only 8 years ago!
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by El Guapo »

gbasden wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:55 pm
El Guapo wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:52 pm
gbasden wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:44 pm
malchior wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 10:37 am
Top Trump Advisor says Romney might face violence at CPAC
Fucking cult.
However, Romney would be safe, because CPAC sensibly bans guns from the conference and enforces that via metal detectors. Because they may be rabid ideologues, but they're not idiots.
It's just insane though - this was their party nominee only 8 years ago!
Romney has always been an enemy of Oceania.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by TheMix »

El Guapo wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:57 pm Romney has always been an enemy of Oceania.
That was my first thought too.

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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

Trump wants military to consider disciplining Vindman. That's 100% retaliation, right?
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he expected the military to consider disciplinary action against Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, the ousted National Security Council official who testified in the House impeachment inquiry into Trump.


Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office, Trump repeatedly tied Vindman’s ouster to his testimony and said it would be up to the military what to do with Vindman — who will reportedly return to the Army after being escorted out of the White House last week alongside his brother, who was also ousted from the NSC despite not testifying.

“That’s going to be up to the military, we’ll have to see,” Trump told a reporter who asked if he thought the military should take disciplinary action against Vindman.

“But if you look at what happened, I mean, they’re going to certainly, I’d imagine, take a look at that,” he added. “What he did was, he reported a false call.”
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

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CNN
President Donald Trump on Tuesday abruptly withdrew the nomination for Jessie Liu, the former US attorney who headed the office that oversaw Roger Stone's prosecution, to serve in a top Treasury Department position, three sources told CNN.
...
Liu had been nominated in December to serve as the Treasury Department's under secretary for terrorism and financial crimes. Previously she headed the US attorney's office that oversaw the prosecution and conviction of Trump's longtime political adviser until Attorney General William Barr replaced her last month. She also led the team that worked on the sentencing of former Trump deputy campaign manager Rick Gates. Liu's office inherited many of the major ongoing cases from Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation.

One source Tuesday did not dismiss the idea that the nomination withdrawal was connected to developments in Stone's case. Liu had been slated to be testify in front of the the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on Thursday.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

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Isgrimnur wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2020 11:47 pm CNN
President Donald Trump on Tuesday abruptly withdrew the nomination for Jessie Liu, the former US attorney who headed the office that oversaw Roger Stone's prosecution, to serve in a top Treasury Department position, three sources told CNN.
...
Liu had been nominated in December to serve as the Treasury Department's under secretary for terrorism and financial crimes. Previously she headed the US attorney's office that oversaw the prosecution and conviction of Trump's longtime political adviser until Attorney General William Barr replaced her last month. She also led the team that worked on the sentencing of former Trump deputy campaign manager Rick Gates. Liu's office inherited many of the major ongoing cases from Robert Mueller's special counsel investigation.

One source Tuesday did not dismiss the idea that the nomination withdrawal was connected to developments in Stone's case. Liu had been slated to be testify in front of the the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on Thursday.
Democrats were looking forward to that testimony as a way of getting answers about Barr's meddling.

I wonder if the prosecutors who've resigned in protest will be subpoenaed now.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

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NYMag
The New York Post reports that the administration is retaliating against Elaine McCusker, whose nomination for Pentagon comptroller and chief financial officer has been pulled.

What’s especially chilling about this move is the reason for the retaliation. McCusker is losing her job because she attempted to follow the law. There’s no cover story to rationalize it. That is the cover story. “This administration needs people who are committed to implementing the president’s agenda, specifically on foreign policy, and not trying to thwart it,” a White House official tells the paper.
...
The emails show McCusker advising budget officials as to what the law said. She was not acting especially rigid about it. As Just Security’s summary notes, “The emails show officials bending over backwards to make every conceivable accommodation to keep the process moving without actually being able to obligate the funding.” One message shows McCusker writing to another official, “We need to continue to give the WH has [sic] much decision space as possible, but am concerned we have not officially documented the fact that we can not promise full execution at this point.” That is, she was trying to do everything in her power to give White House officials room to set the policy as they saw fit, without violating the law.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by LawBeefaroni »

Plausible deniability is for the weak. Real leaders say, "fuck the Constitution."
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

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CNN
The US attorney whose nomination for a top Treasury Department job was yanked because she ran the office that oversaw Roger Stone's prosecution has resigned, an administration official tells CNN.

Jessie Liu, who previously headed the US attorney's office in Washington, submitted her resignation to the Treasury Department, effective Wednesday evening. She went to the Treasury Department with the intention of filling a Senate-confirmed position, which is no longer available after her nomination was withdrawn earlier Wednesday, the official said.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

This sounds super plausible. Also the main tweet is another twist on this post-modern horror show - btw its also illegal not that it matters anymore.


Trump said he saw Vindman’s actions as “very insubordinate” and claimed that when Vindman was removed from the White House “many people in the building started applauding.”
Trump says he's considering blocking administration officials from listening to his phone calls with foreign leaders
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by Victoria Raverna »

He doesn't want his administration officlals listen to his perfect phone calls?
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

Pentagon official who certified Ukraine aid is out.

Guess the purge will continue through the minor players now. Trump's people are diabolical. They are punishing anyone even somewhat connected. There is near zero chance Trump knew this guy existed until they forced him out. This indicates that the rumors that people were encouraged to provide lists of people to axe was likely accurate.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »


Breaking @politico: The White House is withdrawing Elaine McCusker for a top Pentagon post following reports that she questioned the legality of the administration's efforts to freeze military aid to Ukraine. @connorobrienNH confirming NY Post.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

This took awhile. Guess the crisis is over and he saw Orban got far ahead.


The president has notified Congress that he is removing the inspector general for the intelligence community, the official who helped make sure Congress got the Ukraine whistleblower complaint. The firing will take effect in 30 days, according to a letter obtained by NBC News.
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Re: The Trump Impeachment Reprisal Thread

Post by malchior »

This feels like the right spot for it instead of the coronavirus...the irony being Romney literally is an expert at turning around businesses. Trump's endless pettiness at odds with his job again.

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