Fierce battle erupts over releasing intelligence report

[mystery-ak]

Fierce battle erupts over releasing intelligence report

By Katie Bo Williams and Jonathan Easley - 01/19/18 06:33 PM EST

A battle erupted Friday over a push by Republican lawmakers to release a report they say will reveal high-level government abuse around the federal investigation into possible ties between Trump campaign officials and Russia.

Even as Congress hurtled toward a shutdown, Republicans in the House were buzzing over the contents of a classified memo on alleged surveillance abuses that was produced by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.).

Scores of Republicans viewed the controversial memo in secure settings at the Capitol and concluded it contains hard evidence that the special counsel investigation into whether Trump’s campaign officials had improper contacts with Russia were sparked by the politically motivated actions of senior FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) officials.

more
http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/369851-fierce-battle-erupts-over-declassifying-intelligence-report

[edpc]

Unfortunately, this would probably get drowned out in the noise over the shutdown if they released it now.

[truth_seeker]

I am marking this down as "fake news," since every Republican I heave heard from wants this to be made widely distributed, as in no battle.

[Smokin Joe]

I am marking this down as "fake news," since every Republican I heave heard from wants this to be made widely distributed, as in no battle.

Scores of Republicans viewed the controversial memo in secure settings at the Capitol and concluded it contains hard evidence that the special counsel investigation into whether Trump’s campaign officials had improper contacts with Russia were sparked by the politically motivated actions of senior FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) officials.

It would come as no surprise after the alleged investigation of Hillary's server that the FBI and DOJ were indeed corrupted to the degree that their investigations would be emphasized or whitewashed for political reasons. Obama had weaponized the agencies, along with others (EPA, BLM--the land management agency, not the other one, IRS and others). Frankly, it makes perfect sense that whoever was complicit in those actions who has not already retired or transferred would be doing all they can to try to do away with anyone who might root that treason out.

[INVAR]

I don't know how much evidence it will take to convince, but the Federal Beast is its entirety is wholly corrupt beyond redemption or correction.

Weaponized Alphabets engaged in political espionage and destruction, mafioso government with agents and employees entrenched in positions of permanency is the only way Washington works and operates now.

"Fixing it" with bandaids is not an option for a hydra.

[libertybele]

Unfortunately, this would probably get drowned out in the noise over the shutdown if they released it now.

...ok...so keep it quiet until the appropriate time, but meanwhile ... start arresting some people for crying out loud.

[austingirl]

I'm thinking of all those idiotic liberal memes of "Obama had no scandals." Looks like this is the granddaddy of them all.

(I guess Benghazi, Fast and Furious. etc. don't count.)

[Fantom]

Intelligence report released... I.Q. of media diminished.

[GrouchoTex]

Beginning to get the idea that the shutdown is to divert attention from what is in this memo.
Dems don't want it released, but if they think it is coming, time to change the narrative.

[Smokin Joe]

I'm thinking of all those idiotic liberal memes of "Obama had no scandals." Looks like this is the granddaddy of them all.

(I guess Benghazi, Fast and Furious. etc. don't count.)

Now, the Obama Administration thoroughly investigated itself and concluded there was no wrongdoing.

 

[GrouchoTex]

I used to think this was tin foil hat stuff, deep state/shadow government, etc.
In the last 2 days, I've been seriously re-thinking my position.
There is a list of about 30 or so congressmen asking for the release of this memo.
Some are people I admire, tea party/freedom caucus folks on this list.

[edpc]

...ok...so keep it quiet until the appropriate time, but meanwhile ... start arresting some people for crying out loud.

When the Lewinsky scandal first began, the administration was on the cusp of going all in, throwing her under the bus, and portraying her as a stalker.  The info about the Tripp tapes and the blue dress got out first.  Had they waited just a bit, it would have destroyed the Clinton machine and we’d never have a Senator, Sec of State, or nominee Hillary.

Obama is set to make his return on the political stage for a midterm blitz.  Let him get out there, get in front of cameras, remind everyone how ‘smooth’ his admin was, compared to the ‘chaotic’ Trump, then kneecap him with whatever may be in the documents.  Dems will spend the most important part of the campaign on defense and watching what few donors they still have dry up.  That’d be my advice for maximum effect, but I’m just a keyboard warrior.

[GrouchoTex]

The (re)release of the Stormy Daniels story was no accident. It had been out there before, so why now?
#ReleaseTheMemo

[Emjay]

Unfortunately, this would probably get drowned out in the noise over the shutdown if they released it now.

I don't know.  This story is more 'sexy' than a government shutdown and Fox News is all over it.

[Smokin Joe]

The (re)release of the Stormy Daniels story was no accident. It had been out there before, so why now?
#ReleaseTheMemo

The whole wave of sexual misconduct stories predictably had Trump as the eventual target. That Moore was scuttled by a mere 22k votes may have been the doings as much of the GOPe as the allegations and a bonus dfor the Dems, but he was just another step in they pyramid they were building by throwing media Dems to the wolves and 'confessions' designed to make the behaviour seem endemic enough to accuse virtually anyone (except Pence, it seems). The wave broke early, the news became old news and they lost momentum, despite the GOP colluding to keep Moore out. That's why the Stormy Daniels story hasn't gained the traction they needed, and that it is old news (even though it is newer than the 40 year old suddenly surfaced allegations in AL.) Anyone who thinks these battles are isolated incidents needs to think again, they are part of an orchestrated and community organized campaign, not isolated skirmishes.

[INVAR]

The wave broke early, the news became old news and they lost momentum, despite the GOP colluding to keep Moore out. That's why the Stormy DEaniels story hasn't gained the traction they needed, and that is is old news (even though it is newer than the 40 year old suddenly surfaced allegations in AL.) Anyone who thinks these battles are isolated incidents needs to think again, they are part of an orchestrated and community organized campaign, not isolated skirmishes.

Very adroit of you to note there sir.  Very adroit.

It is interesting that the sex allegations with the porn star whore with Trump 12 years ago are dismissed as 'old news' and irrelevant by virtually the same people who went into frothing berserker mode over the allegations from 40 years ago made against Moore.

[GrouchoTex]

dems now spinning this as Republican Talking points, designed to obfuscate the Mueller investigation, and protect Trump.
Also, that Assange and Russian Bots are behind it.
The statement says the the info is classified, so it will not be released.
So is it talking points nonsense, or classified info?
If it is just nonsense, release it!
We can tell the difference.

It hasn't been released (or leaked), yet they are already telling us what to think about it.

Smoke screen by Dems.
They're worried.

[Smokin Joe]

Very adroit of you to note there sir.  Very adroit.

It is interesting that the sex allegations with the porn star whore with Trump 12 years ago are dismissed as 'old news' and irrelevant by virtually the same people who went into frothing berserker mode over the allegations from 40 years ago made against Moore.

Recall from the primaries, Trump has some media allies, and this is 'old news' in the sense that the story is a rerun.
 
Moore, by virtue of standing his ground over the Constitutional provisions in Alabama which restricted marriage to between one man and one woman, has few, if any, mainstream media allies where homosexuality and that agenda are prominent, and fewer who would speak up for fear of their careers. The allegations, never before made, were fresh and a surprise: "Breaking news", whether fabrications to nuke his campaign (most likely) or not.

He also had the Democrats out to 'get him' to win the election, the anti-Christians after him, the lavender lobby, and even the GOPe who didn't want anyone who would stand on principle to the extent they lost their job loose in the swamp.
 
While the Democrats may see that as a springboard to attack Trump from, they just don't have the open blue on blue (red on red?) assistance to the extent they had with Moore, so while that perfect sh*tstorm may have sunk Moore's ship (and that was still fairly close), they won't 'get Trump' with that, just maybe cause some domestic discomfort.
I would guess that Melania is savvy enough to not let any fracture be seen, and as this is old news (revisited), even on the home front that this would likely not cause any problems there, either (any issue there already resolved and ancient history for them). IOW, this round has nowhere near the explosive force in the news.

 Add in that the allegations against Moore specifically targeted a large number of his otherwise supporters because they hit at a vital moral issue, with or without proof, mere doubt can hurt, and that Trump supporters to a great extend really don't give a hoot what he did or didn't do, and the whole tempest will die in the teapot it belongs in.

[INVAR]

Recall from the primaries, Trump has some media allies, and this is 'old news' in the sense that the story is a rerun.
 
Moore, by virtue of standing his ground over the Constitutional provisions in Alabama which restricted marriage to between one man and one woman, has few, if any, mainstream media allies where homosexuality and that agenda are prominent, and fewer who would speak up for fear of their careers. The allegations, never before made, were fresh and a surprise: "Breaking news", whether fabrications to nuke his campaign (most likely) or not.

He also had the Democrats out to 'get him' to win the election, the anti-Christians after him, the lavender lobby, and even the GOPe who didn't want anyone who would stand on principle to the extent they lost their job loose in the swamp.
 
While the Democrats may see that as a springboard to attack Trump from, they just don't have the open blue on blue (red on red?) assistance to the extent they had with Moore, so while that perfect sh*tstorm may have sunk Moore's ship (and that was still fairly close), they won't 'get Trump' with that, just maybe cause some domestic discomfort.
I would guess that Melania is savvy enough to not let any fracture be seen, and as this is old news (revisited), even on the home front that this would likely not cause any problems there, either (any issue there already resolved and ancient history for them). IOW, this round has nowhere near the explosive force in the news.

 Add in that the allegations against Moore specifically targeted a large number of his otherwise supporters because they hit at a vital moral issue, with or without proof, mere doubt can hurt, and that Trump supporters to a great extend really don't give a hoot what he did or didn't do, and the whole tempest will die in the teapot it belongs in.

I was actually impressed with your brilliant and yet subtle slam of noting the hypocrisy among those who are bothered by sex allegations.

[Smokin Joe]

I was actually impressed with your brilliant and yet subtle slam of noting the hypocrisy among those who are bothered by sex allegations.

Thank you. I am also noting why one campaign had the efficacy it did, and the other will not.

You can't target a politician without first targeting their supporters. Calling Barney Frank a homosexual had bugger-all effect on his constituents. You would have had to find something that they find repulsive enough to have them turn on him. I doubt if video of him eating raw squirming babies alive would do that. 

So the bar is moveable, especially among supporters who apply principle as a matter of virtue signalling but not a consistent criterion for making decisions to support a candidate.