sorry can't defend......
1. signing a budget that increases spending more than the emperor ever dreamed of proposing .
2.the whole idea of assembling our military might and parading it down Pennsylvania Ave.
3. Not releasing the Schiff memo after releasing the Nunes memo .

What could possibly be in it that compromises national security ? It makes it look like he is covering up something ,

Republicans who have read it said there is no reason to not release it ..and I'm not talking about the John McCain's of the party . The House Intel Committee Republicans voted unanimously to release the Schiff memo . Let the sunshine of transparency in .It is the best disinfectant .

You may as well add to the list the 3 staffers who had to leave for domestic abuse that have been working on interim security clearances, after failing the FBI background checks that General Kelly and or McGahn the white house counsel knew about. Did Trump? What about son in law Kushner's security clearance that still hasn't been granted.

Yeah the pile of crap grows at the front door.

Dems have no business pointing fingers about supporting abusers . Everyone can yell about security clearances . Truth is that happens frequently . I recall a mini-controversy sometime in the emperor's reign where his agents in his security team had not obtained the proper clearance . On his last days on office ,the emperor went on a hiring frenzy seeding the government with Obots including some assigned to the White House to serve well after the emperor left . How many of them were properly vetted ? The whole idea of security clearance is an executive dept construct . The President can have anyone he chooses working for him . The issue can be taken up again in 2020.

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In fact, the security clearance system itself is an expression of presidential authority. Its scope and operation are defined in an executive order (EO 12968), and its terms can be modified by the President at will.And if the President wished to grant access to classified information to a family member, for example, there would be no legal barrier to doing so. See “Trump Will Have Wide Latitude to Let Family Into Government’s Secret Circles” by Mark Landler, New York Times, November 16.

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https://fas.org/blogs/secrecy/2016/1...-presidential/

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“The president can authorize clearance for anyone he wants,” said Steven Aftergood, director of the project on government secrecy at the Federation of American Scientists. “It’s part of his commander-in-chief role. He has broad, essentially unlimited, access in this area.”

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https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/17/u...mp-family.html

A wise man once told me that the opposition party has every right, and a DUTY, to expose the ruling powers every flaw, action, and intentions. That was you during the Obama years, and now it's the dems who are the opposition party to the repubs control of government.

By your own words we have a duty to not just roll over, or give the Dufus a chance, but to blunt his power, and make him a one term president. While repubs failed in the latter, they have did an excellent job blunting Obama's and the dems agenda.

Don't think for a minute we won't do the same by whatever means we have, and you must admit The Dufus is good at giving us a lot of means to accomplish that goal. Expect more opposition, not less.

Rosenstein and Wray offered to work with Schiff to make his memo suitable for released. Do you think Pathfinder will take them up on their offer ? If not then it proves his critics correct that he loaded his memo up with stuff he knew would not get released so he could run with the narrative that herr Donald is running a cover up.

I have no doubt dems will have a memo soon suitable for public consumption.

goodby Tea Party we hardly knew ya. You took a Faustian bargain by backing herr Donald . Now there is not a peep from the elected officials voted in to show fiscal restraint . Instead of draining the swamp you have become swamp creatures . Do not be surprised if your constituents who are for limited government ,government restraint ,and fiscal conservatism sit this year's election out .

What are you worried about? It's a long held belief by repubs that tax cuts would pay for themselves, grow the economy, and create jobs. So by that logic, it's okay to put another few trillion on the credit card. After all we spent many trillions in foreign lands so we can spend it on this land now.

Can't you get with Trumpism? I thought you were a capitalists, Tom, so do the math and count the Trumpsters, and see how they out number the Tea Party. Now take your tax cuts, create a big enough economy to build Trumps wall and pay for his parade and be happy with his scandals. Good luck with those bridges, schools, and roads.

And don't forget to clap at the Trump rallies, and slobber all over him, because you could be tried for treason, and end up with a black eye and be deported!

Tax cuts do pay for themselves . But that is only half the recipe. If we can't control spending then we are screwed . And part of that is NOT creating new entitlements when we can't pay for the ones already in the unfunded liabilities category . Trumpism isn't capitalism . His plan is more of the same old cater to the rent seekers . He went to Washington to drain the swamp ,but after one year he thinks it's a pretty neat hot tub.

If they do Tom, then by your logic, The Dufus tax cuts didn't add a dime to the deficit, and if you haven't noticed their have been some deep cuts already to government agencies, and federal programs by this administration. You just haven't noticed them yet. You will though.

Breaking News

The FBI chief just testified at the Annual Intelligence Security Hearing before the senate, that the WH was first notified last March about security clearances issues and followed up 3 times with additional information after WH inquires. All of the Intel heads agreed, Russia interfered in the 2016 election, are still actively engaged in corrupting the election process, and will again interfere with the 2018 election.

Then we had this nugget last night

In meeting with Russia’s Putin, President Abbas calls for new peace mechanism

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MOSCOW, February 13, 2018 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Moscow on Monday night that a new mechanism for peace making in the Middle East is now required and that the United States can no longer be the sole mediator in talks between Palestinians and Israelis.“We do not accept to have the US as the mediator between us and the Israelis,” said Abbas, accusing the US administration of taking several steps that showed its bias toward Israel and stand against the Palestinians.“If there will be efforts for negotiations, they may be done through an international conference where a mechanism will be found for the mediation and not only the US

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nah only 3 agencies FBI ,NSA and , CIA and DNI Clapper made the claim ,and the analysts were "hand-picked" which makes this appear to be a report supporting a preconceived conclusion.....the rest of the intel agencies like the Coast Guard just signed onto the report . James Clapper confirmed this on Jan 6 when questioned by Senator Stuart Smalley . Look at the Dems suddenly putting faith in Intel agency assessments . That is too precious in the irony of it all.

What did the Russians do besides Facebook ads ?

Abbas is not an honest broker . There can be no real settlement when he doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist . If there is a settlement he loses all his power .

btw did you see the cute email Susan Rice sent to herself to cya the emperor ? She's going to go to jail carrying the emperor's water . Hope she thinks it was worth it . https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/imo...n%20Email).pdf

Yes I did, and the concern was passing sensitive information on to Trump transition members specifically Flynn, who was under investigation. The concern was the Dufus would take steps to bury what the FBI and others had found, protect the prez and his sycophants, or worse reveal sensitive information to Pooty that could compromise sources, and assets.

Of course I can see where attempts to preserve evidence could be construed as a conspiracy, but given the extraordinary nature of the incoming administration it would seem extraordinary measures had to be taken.

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What did the Russians do besides Facebook ads ?

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They weren't ads Tom, they were ACCOUNTS targeted at spreading FAKE NEWS, and propaganda using a VERY sophisticated technique to hide their true identity and origins. It wasn't just Facebook either as all the social media avenues were/ARE being subjected to this cyber attack. It's not just the US either, as this is a GLOBAL operation involving many countries.

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Abbas is not an honest broker . There can be no real settlement when he doesn't recognize Israel's right to exist . If there is a settlement he loses all his power .

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Put the Palestinians OFFICIALLY in the Russian column with Iran and Syria and let me know how that looks on the map. Abbas will have more power, and a lot more OPTIONS.

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Put the Palestinians OFFICIALLY in the Russian column with Iran and Syria and let me know how that looks on the map.

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It's already happened .The Russians were arming the ant-Israeli forces back in 1967 . Nothing new there . Abbas like Arafat before him plunders from the Palestinians and then blames the Jews .

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They weren't ads Tom, they were ACCOUNTS targeted at spreading FAKE NEWS, and propaganda using a VERY sophisticated technique to hide their true identity and origins.

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Fake news like the stuff that comes out of America's legacy press ? What is VOA but America trying to influence the political outcome of different countries ?

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Yes I did, and the concern was passing sensitive information on to Trump transition members specifically Flynn, who was under investigation. The concern was the Dufus would take steps to bury what the FBI and others had found, protect the prez and his sycophants, or worse reveal sensitive information to Pooty that could compromise sources, and assets.

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nonsense .According to press reports, Comey briefed Obama that day on the unverified Steele dossier. BTW ;Comey testified to Congress that Flynn had not lied .

Let me refresh your memory.

https://www.theatlantic.com/news/arc...meline/516594/

Suuuuure Flynn didn't lie, he never told his boss about discussing sanctions with the Russian ambassador? Trump never told Pence? What would YOU call it?

BREAKING NEWS

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-...ption-charges/

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JERUSALEM --

Israeli police on Tuesday recommended that Benjamin Netanyahu be indicted in a pair of corruption cases, media reported, in an embarrassing blow to the embattled prime minister that is likely to fuel calls for him to step down.

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it doesn't matter what he told Pence . He was nailed for allegedly lying to the FBI (even though he was not aware that they were asking questions related to an investigation). He only copped a plea because Mueller's strong arm tactics were costing him a fortune to defend :AND Mueller was threatening to go after his son in an unrelated matter .

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-...ption-charges/

And Menendez gets off with scott free . Imagine that ! Just like the left ;if they can't beat ya at the ballot box they try to destroy you though the police state . Our SCOTUS decided this wasn't even a crime . Here is NY Il Duce Cuomo's gumbas are cashing in like crazy . You know and I know that this has everything to do with the so called peace plan and nothing to do with corruption.

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Originally Posted by tomder55

it doesn't matter what he told Pence . He was nailed for allegedly lying to the FBI (even though he was not aware that they were asking questions related to an investigation). He only copped a plea because Mueller's strong arm tactics were costing him a fortune to defend :AND Mueller was threatening to go after his son in an unrelated matter .

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It doesn't matter what he was aware, lying to the FBI is a crime all by itself. I feel ya about Menendez though, and you probably felt the same way I did after McDonnell beat the rap in Virginia.

I wonder what's up with these generals who get involved with Trump?

Byron York: Comey told Congress FBI agents didn't think Michael Flynn lied