00:05:54 Reading – White House looking at ethics rule to weaken special investigation: sources (Julia Ainsley) https://t.co/zm0EmAlzmQ
01:15:28 Reading – Russian officials bragged they could use Michael Flynn to influence Donald Trump, sources say (CNN) https://t.co/Ua9SxcwPaf
01:21:39 Retweeted @teenagesleuth00:25:21 Best working theory is that DT is so stupid, he thought that a president could do anything he wanted to do. It’s actually that simple.
06:56:30 Retweeted @BruceBartlett00:08:35 Simple questions for every Republican running for office at any level: Do you support Trump? If so, why? Are you an idiot? What the fuck?
This week on Curmudgeon’s Corner Sam and Ivan talk about… well… could it be anything else? Almost the whole show is on the many Trump-Russia developments from the last week. Developments in the Mike Flynn story. Trump talking about tapping conversations. Trump meets with Russians and says things that get him in trouble. Reports on Trump-Comey conversations. The Special Counsel. The continuing investigation. Talk of Impeachment and the 25th amendment. Basically all Trump this week. Except for a Wiki of the Day update.
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Show Details:
Recorded 2017-05-20
Length this week – 1:57:21
(0:00:54-0:14:08) But First
All Trump
Things not covered
Negative news tone
Wiki of the Day update
Alex interlude
(0:14:56-0:45:31) Trump-Russia Part 1
Ignored warnings about Flynn
Trump tapes?
Trump meeting with Russians
Trump is a moron
Fox effect
(0:46:36-1:25:09) Trump-Russia Part 2
Taking notes at meetings
Trump/Comey meetings
Coverup vs Crime
Special Council
Follow the money
McCarthy/Ryan on Trump/Russia
Kushner is a person of interest
Trump still likes Flynn
Russians bragging about Flynn
Who Trump people trust
(1:25:50-1:57:01) Removal Options
No President Hatch
Impeachment Route
25th Amendment Route
What next?
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch.
15:58:33 Wiener is a reminder that had Clinton won, we’d still have admin related controversies. But unimaginable it would b… https://t.co/3JiF2ACw0R
19:40:46 Retweeted @Zigmanfreud19:38:05 Trump calling Comey a “real nut job” to the Russians is crazy, but the most significant part of this story is him saying the pressure’s off.
22:29:51 Retweeted @SamWangPhD14:19:07 Examples of modern jargon…
“Deep State” = “the rule of law”
“I am troubled” = “I will do nothing”
“fake news” = “I dislike this”
23:23:21 Staff seems unhappy. -> Trump Officials: вЂHe Looks More and More Like a Complete Moron’ (Markay/Suebsaeng/Shachtman) https://t.co/COYVnTEskc
23:54:49 Retweeted @Evan_McMullin23:02:59 It’s now clear that Trump intended to obstruct the FBI investigation by firing Comey. How is it possible that he still has party support?
23:56:48 Retweeted @benshapiro19:34:02 Here’s the problem, gang. If Trump’s just stupid, he’s likely innocent. If he’s the uber-brilliant chess player, he’s acting pretty guilty.
00:11:23 Collusion is basically the worst case here. There is plenty that could be very very wrong and possibly illegal that… https://t.co/WNVgqYCbuE
01:01:55 Retweeted @MSignorile00:27:15 So far, Trump has been outsmarted by 2 people who worked for him and whom he screwed over: Comey & Rosenstein. This guy is an idiot.
01:05:10 Retweeted @CharlesPPierce2017-05-17 15:12:48 Hugh Hewitt just compared Comey’s paper trail to J. Edgar Hoover’s blackmail files. History just hit itself in the head with a skillet.
01:23:13 Boom. Again. -> Trump Team Knew Flynn Was Under Investigation Before He Came to White House (Rosenberg/Mazzetti) https://t.co/UjzTQwCizD
01:32:00 Flynn told them “I am under investigation by the FBI”. Trump team said “Cool, so are we, welcome!” (Essentially) https://t.co/UjzTQwCizD
01:41:35 But wait! There’s more! -> Flynn stopped military plan Turkey opposed – after being paid as its agent (Bergengruen) https://t.co/SkHqtbJ4Ys
05:17:19 Retweeted @mollyesque2017-05-17 19:25:28 Asked a longtime House GOP staffer where things are headed. “This is like Reservoir Dogs. Everyone ends up dead on the floor.”
07:04:15 Retweeted @eosnos2017-05-17 03:56:41 Somewhere in this city, a WH staffer is running the #’s on how much he’d earn by being 1st to break ranks. Books, speeches, CNN, reputation.
19:28:32 Retweeted @TeddyDavisCNN19:28:17 McCaskill: Rosenstein knew that Comey was going to be fired when he wrote his memo. McCaskill just spoke to reporters post briefing
23:01:57 Retweeted @chrislhayes16:38:58 This horrible event in Times Square looks like DWI, which kills *thousands of more people a year than terrorism* so we can ignore it.
00:18:25 Retweeted @rebliv2017-05-16 22:34:55 Instead of being troubled, Republicans ought to start sending their thoughts and prayers to Americans. It would be just as helpful.
01:00:43 Reading – Another Bomb Drops: Initial Thoughts on Trump Asking Comey to Kill the Flynn Investigation (LawFare) https://t.co/hooUQmHy2c
01:33:55 Retweeted @jdawsey101:22:03 Read from talking to White House officials/advisers tonight: They seem shellshocked, unsure what to say or believe or what this means.
02:28:58 Retweeted @mckaycoppins02:24:11 Remember when people used to think every bad thing Trump did was a calculated distraction from the last bad thing Trump did?
03:13:10 Reading – No more holding that phone while driving under new law in Washington state (Rachel La Corte) https://t.co/o2np6kwFY2
03:16:01 Retweeted @HotlineJosh00:28:38 Dana Bash now reporting Congressional Rs debating between supporting independent prosecutor or independent commission. Major development.
03:54:44 Retweeted @BeschlossDC03:33:25 John McCain tonight: “We’ve seen this movie before. It’s reaching Watergate size and scale.”
03:55:00 Retweeted @Acosta01:24:06 Source close to WH says DC outrage directed at the president over Comey memo may be useful with his supporters: “Only helps us.”
22:21:45 Reading – House majority leader to colleagues in 2016: вЂI think Putin pays’ Trump (Adam Entous) https://t.co/rjv1FHyUfK
22:22:35 Retweeted @AP22:03:52 BREAKING: Justice Dept. appoints former FBI head Robert Mueller to oversee probe into Trump-Russian connection in 2016 election
22:22:44 Retweeted @jonkarl22:10:04 The White House was blinded by the Special Counsel announcement — given only about a 30-minute heads up
22:29:31 So, who will be fired first, McCabe or Rosenstein?
22:37:18 Retweeted @BraddJaffy22:32:49 DOJ tells NBC News the White House was informed of the special counsel decision *after* the order was already signed this afternoon
23:02:30 Retweeted @BNONews23:01:15 Special Counsel Robert Mueller was given civil service protections which means he cannot be removed by President Trump – CBS in reply to BNONews
23:06:20 Retweeted @OrinKerr23:05:15 How many hours before Politico posts its story about Trump being outraged and fuming over the Mueller appointment? I’ll guess four.
00:59:57 Retweeted @Carrasquillo2017-05-15 23:31:46 WH comms staffers just put the TVs on super loud after we could hear yelling coming from room w/ Bannon, Spicer, Sanders
01:02:22 Retweeted @scalzi00:37:23 Now, folks, I’m sure GOP folks saying “It was declassified the moment he talked about it” would have said the same thing if Clinton did it.
01:02:38 Retweeted @emptywheel00:37:19 Seriously, now that Trump insta-declassified intel on laptop threat, can we discuss whether it was serious enough to disrupt travel?
01:02:57 Retweeted @EsotericCD00:12:49 Sad to see ppl saying “admin just said WaPo report is false!”No. Learn to parse a carefully worded statement. They basically ADMITTED it.
01:20:27 Reading – Bombshell: Initial Thoughts on the Washington Post’s Game-Changing Story (Lawfare) https://t.co/7E0Myjv2kB
01:22:53 Retweeted @CarolCNN2017-05-15 23:54:03 This quote from Senator Susan Collins tonight to reporters: “”Can we have a crisis-free day? That’s all I’m asking.”
01:45:05 Retweeted @DavidKaib01:16:50 If we end up with President Pence, the bipartisan push to legitimate him is going to be intense.
03:32:56 Retweeted @smotus03:14:48 The pee tape can’t really be as bad as anything we’ve seen in the past week, can it?
03:42:08 Retweeted @EsotericCD00:07:44 Just talked to friend in IC who has, until now, pointedly dismised anti-Trump hysteria.He is foaming at mouth w/rage over tonight’s story.
03:43:20 Retweeted @katz2017-05-15 22:07:50 CNN: WaPo’s Trump-Russia report
MSNBC: WaPo’s Trump-Russia report
Fox News: “Trump’s pledge to police”
05:02:27 Retweeted @normative01:55:55 Maybe the most depressing aspect of this is that Republicans in Congress plainly understand Trump is unfit but fear saying so.
05:23:05 Retweeted @maggieNYT04:29:34 Prior to the Wapo story, Trump spent day phoning outside advisers, saying he knows he has to make changes but isn’t certain what to do.
05:43:04 Retweeted @tinyrevolution2017-05-15 23:52:52 There was no way to predict Trump would act like this in office except for everything he’d ever done his entire life
14:04:41 Retweeted @aklingus2017-05-15 21:50:09 I really hate that Occam’s Razor for this story is not “treason”, but “our President is the dumbest sack of shit walking the planet”
19:46:53 Retweeted @bradheath13:19:22 White House reaction cycle
1 – It never happened
2 – POTUS tweet
3 – It happened; NBD
4 – Nobody cares but you
5 – No more questions on this
19:48:29 Retweeted @jayspec19:13:28 That thing where you obsessively check on your new baby to make sure it’s still breathing, except reloading Twitter and American Democracy.
21:45:41 In meetings for the afternoon and won’t be out awhile, so have only seen the alerts on the latest Trump/Comey stuff. But… HFS! Again!
23:23:50 Retweeted @HeerJeet19:55:15 Here’s the key reality Americans have to face: a nation that can elect Donald Trump can’t be trusted. That’s changing how world sees USA
21:12:41 Oh FFS -> Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador (Miller/Jaffe) https://t.co/9jiIBWAn2P
21:52:42 Retweeted @byrdinator21:33:01 Dianne Feinstein exits Senate subway and is surrounded by reporters. “Oh my goodness. What’s happened?” (She hasn’t seen the WaPo story.)
21:56:36 This too -> When President Trump’s bodyguard revealed Jim Mattis’s private cellphone number (Rachel Manteuffel) https://t.co/Fts7wGSdyV
22:09:43 Retweeted @GlennKesslerWP21:28:36 Applause in the newsroom as the Russia-leak scoop breaks the Hollywood Access record for most readers per minute
22:14:29 Retweeted @dangillmor22:07:23 Presidents have the legal right to recklessly disclose previously classified information. Also to start nuclear wars.
22:17:58 Retweeted @JoshuaHol22:06:06 There aren’t enough bushes in the entire universe for Sean Spicer right now.
22:23:47 Retweeted @ericawerner21:52:08 McCain just saw WP: “We certainly don’t want any president to leak classified information but the president does have the right to do that.”
22:38:28 Retweeted @BNONews22:37:45 Deputy NSA Powell says reports that Trump shared classified information are “false,” claims the president only discussed “common threats” in reply to BNONews
22:40:55 Retweeted @jdawsey122:38:05 White House sends out statements from aides fighting back against Russian classified info stories. “This story is false,” Dina Powell says.
22:45:43 What a week in the news! Thank god it’s Friday!
22:46:12 Retweeted @pareene22:32:41 At this point it’s almost universally acknowledged that Trump’s cognitive deficiencies have to be managed around but you can’t just say that
22:53:08 Retweeted @fordm2017-02-15 02:23:59 It’s less of a “news cycle” these days and more of that BSG episode where the Cylons attack every 33 minutes.
22:53:40 Retweeted @chrislhayes22:21:41 It’s striking that as with Comey, immediate defenses from GOP are that he has legal authority to do it. That’s…not a defense.
23:14:07 Retweeted @igorvolsky23:10:32 Nat Sec adviser McMaster reads short statement saying story is false. Doesn’t address why NatSec was SCRAMBLING after Trump’s Russia meeting
23:14:14 Retweeted @matthewamiller23:11:24 A 30-second denial of something the Post didn’t report, then taking no questions, should put this story to bed.
23:25:42 Retweeted @KatyTurNBC23:09:28 McMaster saying “sources and methods” is a red herring. Article doesnt say Trump revealed sources and methods to Russians.
14:44:45 People saying “President Hatch soon”. Would require *simultaneous* removal of Pres, VP, & SotH. Hard to see how you pull that off legally.
15:55:15 Retweeted @amandacarpenter2017-05-12 12:30:41 On days like this I’m not even mad at Trump. We knew what he was. I am furious at everyone in the GOP who enabled this ridiculous behavior.
17:46:42 Retweeted @NumbersMuncher17:45:46 Republicans are happy with Trump if they feel he is hurting the other side. It’s not about conservative values, but perception of victories.
17:47:42 Retweeted @xor2017-05-12 15:48:11 From a purely Chekhovian perspective, he has to shoot somebody on 5th Avenue before this is over, right?
19:01:39 .@DaveMc99TA That is cool. Popular WotD is based on daily ranks. Interesting mix of “of course, makes sense” & “where did that come from?” in reply to DaveMc99TA
20:44:00 Retweeted @JoshuaHol19:33:55 Can you even imagine how fucked we’d be if Trump were minimally competent, or had some semblance of discipline?
On this week’s Curmudgeon’s Corner Sam and Ivan spend most of their time on all of the events surrounding Donald Trump firing James Comey. That really is enough for a whole show! But they also talk a bit about bitcoin, Wiki of the Day, the travel ban court cases, and they respond to a listener’s comments on the healthcare debate. Then Sam’s son Alex comes to shut down the show.
Click below to listen and subscribe!
1-Click Subscribe in iTunes View Podcast in iTunes View Raw Podcast Feed Download MP3 File Follow the podcast on Facebook Support us on Patreon
Show Details:
Recorded 2017-05-12
Length this week – 1:34:54
(0:00:15-0:21:11) But First
The Big News
Agenda
Digital Hoarding
Bitcoin
Wiki of the Day
(0:22:54-1:04:36) Crazy Trump of the Week
Comey Firing Logistics
Win-Win Scenario?
Trump’s Reason(s)
Trump’s surrogates
Trump’s NBC Interview
FBI Reaction
Investigation Next Steps
Trump making it worse
Reactions
(1:06:35-1:34:33) Immigration and Healthcare
Travel Ban Arguments
Our response to Bruce on Healthcare
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch.