Sergei is absolutely right. Durham just got an unexpected lifeline. pic.twitter.com/Pxk8V05HLD

— Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) January 23, 2023

Senate Democrats about to go after Durham.

Is something from Durham in the pipeline? Doubtful.

Senate Judiciary mulls action amid fallout from Durham probe

https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/3836162-senate-judiciary-mulls-action-amid-fallout-from-durham-probe/

The Senate Judiciary Committee is pledging to review the actions of former special counsel John Durham following reports of inappropriate handling of his probe into the investigation of former President Trump.

Recent reporting from The New York Times detailed ethical concerns during the probe that prompted numerous staff departures, including concerns over former Attorney General Bill Barr's involvement in the investigation as well as the decision to proceed to trial with insufficient evidence.

The report also revealed that the Justice Department obscured the nature of the criminal aspect of the probe, failing to disclose that it concerned Trump's financial dealings rather than misconduct related to the initial investigation into the former president's ties to Russia.

The Senate Democrats, you say...I'm sure Durham is concerned. Better confiscate his passport, he's likely to "r- u-n-n o-f-t t-o" Martha's Vineyard.

Durham was as effective as a condom on a cheese grater. What a dud.

Quote:

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https://thefederalist.com/2023/01/30/6-reasons-the-nyts-hit-job-on-john-durhams-imminent-report-instantly-unravels/

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Quote:

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After learning in 2008 that "Danchenko allegedly told a colleague he knew people who would buy classified information," the FBI rather than open a "full investigation" into Danchenko initiated only a "preliminary investigation." The FBI only converted the "preliminary investigation" "into a 'full investigation' after learning that the defendant (1) had been identified as an associate of two FBI counterintelligence subjects and (2) had previous contact with the Russian Embassy and known Russian intelligence officers."
In contrast, the FBI opened a "full investigation" into Trump based on the more amorphous claim that in May 2016, a then-Trump campaign adviser, George Papadopoulos, suggested the Russians had dirt on Hillary Clinton.
The FBI's failure to launch an investigation into Clinton crony Charles Dolan likewise confirms that the initial targeting of Trump suffered from political influence. Again, the public already has access to the relevant evidence from the Danchenko case, with court filings and testimony revealing two FBI agents raised concerns about Dolan because he "had previously worked for a firm that managed a PR campaign for the Kremlin." Dolan's connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin's press secretary and a sub-source for the Steele dossier also raised red flags.

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I didn't read the NYT article, not an attorney (meaning I rarely have the emotions to complete their writing). Besides, it's almost a 100% guarantee the truth has either been "overlooked", or outright "enhanced".

I'll take Ms. Cleveland's word for it.

So we are back to "Don't Got Him"?

Just stunned by this inconsistency. Better waste another 10-20 million just to make sure.

I haven't heard anything about a report? Are we just learning that?

Tony Franklins Other Shoe said:

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So we are back to "Don't Got Him"?

Just stunned by this inconsistency. Better waste another 10-20 million just to make sure.

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Ouch

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https://www.theblaze.com/news/damning-statements-from-hillary-clintons-campaign-resurface-after-explosive-filing-from-john-durham

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The filing was first reported by Fox News.
In a motion filed on Feb. 11, Durham revealed that Michael Sussmann a lawyer who advised the Clinton campaign who has been charged with lying to the FBI brought allegations to the FBI about a connection between Trump and Alfa Bank.
Sussmann, according to Durham, "assembled and conveyed the allegations to the FBI on behalf of at least two specific clients, including a technology executive (Tech Executive 1) at a U.S.-based internet company (Internet Company 1) and the Clinton campaign."
Durham alleged that Sussmann worked with the tech executive, a law firm retained on behalf of the Clinton campaign, and other cyber researchers in July 2016 to prepare the information that Sussmann eventually turned over to the FBI.
"In connection with these efforts, Tech Executive-1 exploited his access to non-public and/or proprietary Internet data," Durham's filing reportedly states. "Tech Executive-1 also enlisted the assistance of researchers at a U.S.-based university who were receiving and analyzing large amounts of Internet data in connection with a pending federal government cybersecurity research contract."

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FWIW. I have no idea if this is worth a damn or not, but it's still worth debating.

That's from last year.

Damn!

Can't read anymore without looking at the date. Apologies!

While I'm here....

1400!

will25u said:

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While I'm here....

1400!

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LOL. There is a novel in this thread. Too bad Clancy and Allen Drury are dead.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/michael-flynn-suing-government-50-033812465.html

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Former Trump National Security Advisor and retired US. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn is suing the U.S. government on grounds of wrongful prosecution, according to a new legal filing obtained by Rolling Stone. He is seeking $50 million in damages

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"This lawsuit seeks accountability and damages against the United States for these wrongs committed against General Flynn through its agents and agencies," reads the filing, calling his prosecution "wrongful and malicious" and a "gross abuse of process."

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https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66930673/flynn-v-united-states/

Best thread in F16 history imho

Agree.

Yes. This is the most informative and legendary thread in the history of TexAgs! In large part to your contributions Mrs. Hawg!

May god bless you and keep you always!
Praying for your health!

Faithful Ag said:

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Yes. This is the most informative and legendary thread in the history of TexAgs! In large part to your contributions Mrs. Hawg!

May god bless you and keep you always!
Praying for your health!

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This can't be given enough blue stars. I learned SO much. Continued prayers Hawg.

Wow, didn't know Hawg was not feeling well. Hope you recover quickly!

These Senators lied to America. They knew the FBI
illegally targeted Trump but kept quiet:
Marco Rubio
Richard Burr
James Risch
Susan Collins
Roy Blunt
Tom Cotton
John Cornyn
Ben Sasse
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstein
Ron Wyden
Martin Heinrich
Angus King
Kamala Harris
Michael Bennet https://t.co/ogHNRT5vUP pic.twitter.com/tkNtNTTSto

— Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) March 15, 2023

nortex97 said:

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These Senators lied to America. They knew the FBI
illegally targeted Trump but kept quiet:
Marco Rubio
Richard Burr
James Risch
Susan Collins
Roy Blunt
Tom Cotton
John Cornyn
Ben Sasse
Mark Warner
Dianne Feinstein
Ron Wyden
Martin Heinrich
Angus King
Kamala Harris
Michael Bennet https://t.co/ogHNRT5vUP pic.twitter.com/tkNtNTTSto

— Hans Mahncke (@HansMahncke) March 15, 2023

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None of the Republicans on the list are a surprise, and three are already gone from the Senate

Now if we could get rid of Cornyn.

Cornyn must go. Probably one of the dumbest people in Congress from both sides of the aisle. And he challenges Kamala for the most laziest person in DC.

Terrible human. He also sat idly by waiting on the 2008 mortgage crisis despite attempts to inform him of the coming dangers.

Beto could be better than Cornyn at this point. Yes, I said it. I known enemy like Beto is better than a swamp rat RINO who is supposedly a conservative Republican.

FJC.

fka ftc said:

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Beto could be better than Cornyn at this point. Yes, I said it. I known enemy like Beto is better than a swamp rat RINO who is supposedly a conservative Republican.

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Oh hell no.

If Cornyn is HIV, then Beta is cancer and Ebola rolled into one.

No thank you.

My point was that we need to replace Cornyn or just assume we need another senator who is actually allegiant to R goals and intelligent enough to understand the playing field to overcome electing Cornyn over and over.

Beto is probably dumb enough to get him to vote R on at least 40% of issues.

John Cornyn is Mitch McConnell in waiting. We definitely need to vote him out.

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Beto could be better than Cornyn at this point. Yes, I said it

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Don't post on pot.

At least some legislation is being considered now to curb 702 abuses. The FBI/DoJ/contractors notoriously abused the heck out of surveillance powers/FISA approvals against Trump because he was not on team CCP-Dem while in office.

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The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Section 702 powers allow the government to rummage through phone records in terrorism and counterintelligence probes without a warrant and have long raised deep concerns, starting with ACLU litigation years ago and continuing through the bungled FISA warrant that unlawfully targeted the Trump campaign and adviser Carter Page during the Russia collusion probe.

But lawmakers continued to renew the law to ensure the government had the powers it needed to fight terror threats. But since its last renewal, the FISA Court and the U.S. intelligence community released devastating reports in 2020 and 2022 chronicling years of FISA abuses that went far beyond the Russia probe and even included targeting of a sitting member of Congress.

Those revelations have increased the resolve of lawmakers to make substantive changes this year when the law expires, including inside the House Intelligence Committee, where a bipartisan group was selected last week to craft suggested changes.

"I think that you will see changes made to it," Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.), one of the newest members of the House Intelligence Committee, told Just the News, adding there was clear evidence that the law's past safeguards have been breached by the FBI and intel agencies.

"Unfortunately, there have been some people that have leaped those guardrails, for lack of better terminology, and there have got to be consequences for those people who were entrusted," Scott said in an interview with the "Just the News, No Noise" television show. "If you were entrusted with the ability to query that information, and you abused that, then there have to be consequences."

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The entirety of the FBI should be abolished (but instead they are getting a huge new HQ in Virginia), but I would like to think even this trinket could pass the senate. Ultimately, I expect that it will be a 'please play nice and if you are caught not doing so/being horribly abusive of Americans rights in the interest of Democrats as usual then we are going to put you on a naughty list.'

Durham is DUN... Another "report" where nothing happens.

WOMP WOMP.

#Durham AG Garland testimony Senate Appropriations 3/28: Durham report should be finished “relatively soon” via @RobLegare @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/H6RkefOz4C

— Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) March 28, 2023

Sussman had a DOJ and FBI badge?

TRM said:

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Sussman had a DOJ and FBI badge?

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Yep. So did Ben Wittes, Comey's bestie.Sussmann was a James Baker (later at Twitter) bestie.

policywonk98 said:

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Best thread in F16 history imho

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Agreed. It's also the most depressing.

If you think this thread is maddeningly depressing, check this out: "A guide to understanding the hoax of the century."

A 10,000 word magnum opus about the left/deep state/big tech's evolution since 2013 to censorship/control/totalitarian rules moving toward AI censorship of what is said and transmitted on the internet/control of elections. Tough to really summarize it but it starts with hillary/russian disinformation and stuff is all in there per this thread.

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In his last days in office, President Barack Obama made the decision to set the country on a new course. On Dec. 23, 2016, he signed into law the Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act, which used the language of defending the homeland to launch an open-ended, offensive information war.

Something in the looming specter of Donald Trump and the populist movements of 2016 reawakened sleeping monsters in the West. Disinformation, a half-forgotten relic of the Cold War, was newly spoken of as an urgent, existential threat. Russia was said to have exploited the vulnerabilities of the open internet to bypass U.S. strategic defenses by infiltrating private citizens' phones and laptops. The Kremlin's endgame was to colonize the minds of its targets, a tactic cyber warfare specialists call "cognitive hacking."

Defeating this specter was treated as a matter of national survival. "The U.S. Is Losing at Influence Warfare," warned a December 2016 article in the defense industry journal, Defense One. The article quoted two government insiders arguing that laws written to protect U.S. citizens from state spying were jeopardizing national security. According to Rand Waltzman, a former program manager at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, America's adversaries enjoyed a "significant advantage" as the result of "legal and organizational constraints that we are subject to and they are not."

The point was echoed by Michael Lumpkin, who headed the State Department's Global Engagement Center (GEC), the agency Obama designated to run the U.S. counter-disinformation campaign. Lumpkin singled out the Privacy Act of 1974, a post-Watergate law protecting U.S. citizens from having their data collected by the government, as antiquated. "The 1974 act was created to make sure that we aren't collecting data on U.S. citizens. Well, … by definition the World Wide Web is worldwide. There is no passport that goes with it. If it's a Tunisian citizen in the United States or a U.S. citizen in Tunisia, I don't have the ability to discern that … If I had more ability to work with that [personally identifiable information] and had access … I could do more targeting, more definitively, to make sure I could hit the right message to the right audience at the right time."

The message from the U.S. defense establishment was clear: To win the information waran existential conflict taking place in the borderless dimensions of cyberspacethe government needed to dispense with outdated legal distinctions between foreign terrorists and American citizens.

Since 2016, the federal government has spent billions of dollars on turning the counter-disinformation complex into one of the most powerful forces in the modern world: a sprawling leviathan with tentacles reaching into both the public and private sector, which the government uses to direct a "whole of society" effort that aims to seize total control over the internet and achieve nothing less than the eradication of human error.

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Step one in the national mobilization to defeat disinfo fused the U.S. national security infrastructure with the social media platforms, where the war was being fought. The government's lead counter-disinformation agency, the GEC, declared that its mission entailed "seeking out and engaging the best talent within the technology sector." To that end, the government started deputizing tech executives as de facto wartime information commissars.

At companies like Facebook, Twitter, Google, and Amazon, the upper management levels had always included veterans of the national security establishment. But with the new alliance between U.S. national security and social media, the former spooks and intelligence agency officials grew into a dominant bloc inside those companies; what had been a career ladder by which people stepped up from their government experience to reach private tech-sector jobs turned into an ouroboros that molded the two together. With the D.C.-Silicon Valley fusion, the federal bureaucracies could rely on informal social connections to push their agenda inside the tech companies.

In the fall of 2017, the FBI opened its Foreign Influence Task Force for the express purpose of monitoring social media to flag accounts trying to "discredit U.S. individuals and institutions." The Department of Homeland Security took on a similar role.

At around the same time, Hamilton 68 blew up. Publicly, Twitter's algorithms turned the Russian-influence-exposing "dashboard" into a major news story. Behind the scenes, Twitter executives quickly figured out that it was a scam. When Twitter reverse-engineered the secret list, it found, according to the journalist Matt Taibbi, that "instead of tracking how Russia influenced American attitudes, Hamilton 68 simply collected a handful of mostly real, mostly American accounts and described their organic conversations as Russian scheming." The discovery prompted Twitter's head of trust and safety, Yoel Roth, to suggest in an October 2017 email that the company take action to expose the hoax and "call this out on the bull**** it is."
In the end, neither Roth nor anyone else said a word. Instead, they let a purveyor of industrial-grade bull****the old-fashioned term for disinformationcontinue dumping its contents directly into the news stream.

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It's been 'Russia russia Russia' since DJT defeated GCF, but just installing Biden, and then calling this out is hardly a long term end of the story. "Honest Bob" Mueller itself (a senile old fool of a tool, as it were) was a small chapter, or maybe a footnote in the bigger scheme.

Gawd!

I'll read it this weekend, but 44 pages should be very informative, if not down right depressing. However, they tend to have VERY good writing and topics.

Appreciate your putting this up. It should keep me out of the yard for a little while this weekend.

Anytime, hope many do read thru it. Joe Rogan (I know, I know) also has a good episode out yesterday with michael shellenberger. Discusses the "deep state" decision to go all in against trump around 10 minutes in.

Driving to Houston this am listening to that.