The End of the World: A Political Thread. A New Hope coming soon!
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He thought they were his buddy when they helped get him elected. He thought they were on his side when helped created a divide between US citizens. He got played liked a fiddle.
http://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/15/world/russia-us-lavrov-trump-foreign-policy-intl/index.html
http://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/15/world/russia-us-lavrov-trump-foreign-policy-intl/index.html
Russian foreign minister berates US for 'destabilizing' world
Moscow (CNN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States of destabilizing the world, airing a list of grievances over the Trump administration's foreign policy.
Lavrov dedicated the opening of his annual press conference Monday to castigating the US, which is expected to soon issue a fresh round of sanctions against Russia over its interference in the 2016 US election. Russia has long denied meddling in the vote.
Lavrov criticized the US for issuing regular "threats" in relation to events in North Korea and Iran that had "further destabilized" the global situation.
He did not mention President Donald Trump by name, but the US President has issued stern threats to North Korea and Iran, sending a series of fiery Twitter posts attacking the leadership in both nations.
Trump has openly ridiculed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Twitter over Pyongyang's missile and nuclear testing and threatened military intervention. He recently lambasted the Iranian leadership for being repressive, "brutal and corrupt," and supported anti-government protesters challenging the government in six days of rallies.
Lavrov accused the US of provoking tensions on the Korean peninsula.
"The United States quite plainly says that the military confrontation is inevitable, however, everyone understands the catastrophic consequences of such recklessness," he said.
He also criticized the US for expanding its military exercises around North Korea, "which provoked a new escalation of tensions," while others were working through diplomatic channelsto resume talks with Pyongyang.
Lavrov warns US on Iran deal
http://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/14/middleeast/iran-rouhani-us-nuclear-deal-intl/index.html
Lavrov warned the US not to back out of the Iran nuclear deal. Trump had vowed to tear up the 2015 agreement, brokered by the Obama administration, alongside several European allies, Russia and China. The deal obliges Iran to restrict its nuclear program in exchange for eased sanctions.
Trump signed a waiver on Iran sanctions Friday under the deal, but signaled that he would not do so again. He has been under pressure from foreign allies and, according to US officials, his own national security team to stick to the deal.
The day he signed the waiver, however, Trump also announced new separate sanctions on 14 Iranian individuals and entities, in a move that has rattled Tehran.
Lavrov said that US threats to walk away from the deal would undermine any future agreement with North Korea.
"It's sad that United States once again gives a reason to doubt their ability to be reliable contract partners," he said.
"And if this agreement is being taken aside and Iran is being told — you stay within the frame of agreements but we will return the sanctions -- well, put yourself in place North Korea's place. They are being promised that sanctions will be lifted if they say no to their nuclear program, what if they do it but sanctions are still there?"
US officials have not publicly responded to Lavrov's comments.
Moscow (CNN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States of destabilizing the world, airing a list of grievances over the Trump administration's foreign policy.
Lavrov dedicated the opening of his annual press conference Monday to castigating the US, which is expected to soon issue a fresh round of sanctions against Russia over its interference in the 2016 US election. Russia has long denied meddling in the vote.
Lavrov criticized the US for issuing regular "threats" in relation to events in North Korea and Iran that had "further destabilized" the global situation.
He did not mention President Donald Trump by name, but the US President has issued stern threats to North Korea and Iran, sending a series of fiery Twitter posts attacking the leadership in both nations.
Trump has openly ridiculed North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Twitter over Pyongyang's missile and nuclear testing and threatened military intervention. He recently lambasted the Iranian leadership for being repressive, "brutal and corrupt," and supported anti-government protesters challenging the government in six days of rallies.
Lavrov accused the US of provoking tensions on the Korean peninsula.
"The United States quite plainly says that the military confrontation is inevitable, however, everyone understands the catastrophic consequences of such recklessness," he said.
He also criticized the US for expanding its military exercises around North Korea, "which provoked a new escalation of tensions," while others were working through diplomatic channelsto resume talks with Pyongyang.
Lavrov warns US on Iran deal
http://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/14/middleeast/iran-rouhani-us-nuclear-deal-intl/index.html
Lavrov warned the US not to back out of the Iran nuclear deal. Trump had vowed to tear up the 2015 agreement, brokered by the Obama administration, alongside several European allies, Russia and China. The deal obliges Iran to restrict its nuclear program in exchange for eased sanctions.
Trump signed a waiver on Iran sanctions Friday under the deal, but signaled that he would not do so again. He has been under pressure from foreign allies and, according to US officials, his own national security team to stick to the deal.
The day he signed the waiver, however, Trump also announced new separate sanctions on 14 Iranian individuals and entities, in a move that has rattled Tehran.
Lavrov said that US threats to walk away from the deal would undermine any future agreement with North Korea.
"It's sad that United States once again gives a reason to doubt their ability to be reliable contract partners," he said.
"And if this agreement is being taken aside and Iran is being told — you stay within the frame of agreements but we will return the sanctions -- well, put yourself in place North Korea's place. They are being promised that sanctions will be lifted if they say no to their nuclear program, what if they do it but sanctions are still there?"
US officials have not publicly responded to Lavrov's comments.
That's the Republican myth that still plagues people.
I remember back to W Bush against John Kerry. W Bush was "tough on terror" and Kerry was a "soft liberal Democrat". Yet, comparing their military service records:
-one of them went AWOL from the Texas Air Nat'l Guard (joined to avoid going to Vietnam)
-the other was a combat vet in Vietnam, and there are pictures of him in the jungle holding an M16.
The Republican who deserted won.
If you poll our military they will still lean heavily Republican.
How many times has Trump disrespected veterans now? Yet his base continues to pretend to be the true patriots and support him.
Our daily dose of wtf is the orange fool talking about? We need immigration reform because... military?
Bannon ordered to testify to grand jury.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42710630
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42710630
Trump Russia: Bannon 'ordered to testify to grand jury'
He was reportedly subpoenaed by former FBI director Robert Mueller, who is leading an inquiry into alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 election campaign.
Mr Bannon appeared separately on Tuesday before a Congressional panel.
Congress is holding its own inquiry into the allegations.
Mr Bannon was subpoenaed last week, the New York Times reports, quoting an unnamed person with direct knowledge of the matter.
However the summons could be a negotiating tactic by Mr Mueller to persuade Mr Bannon to agree to be questioned by investigators in the less formal setting of the special counsel's offices in Washington, the paper's source added.
'To Trump's dismay, a sign inquiry not winding down'
By Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
As prosecutors hunt for criminal misdeeds, they have a number of arrows in their quiver. One of the more powerful is the grand jury subpoena.
Putting witnesses in the glare of the courtroom spotlight, in front of a panel of jurors, with every word noted and every answer compelled, can be quite revelatory.
Steve Bannon could become the first member of the Trump inner circle to get this treatment.
That he received his court summons just days after news broke that the former Trump campaign head told author Michael Wolff he thought the presidential family could be implicated in money-laundering and treasonous actions may cause some sleepless nights in the White House.
Other top Trump staffers - including former chief-of-staff Reince Priebus, press secretary Sean Spicer and White House counsel Don McGrath - have had informal interviews with the special counsel team. Bannon's subpoena may just be a means of encouraging him to be more co-operative - or a sign that Mr Mueller's investigation has a particular interest in what he has to say.
At the very least, this latest bit of news is a sign that, surely to the dismay of the president, the Russia investigation is far from winding down.
He was reportedly subpoenaed by former FBI director Robert Mueller, who is leading an inquiry into alleged collusion with Russia during the 2016 election campaign.
Mr Bannon appeared separately on Tuesday before a Congressional panel.
Congress is holding its own inquiry into the allegations.
Mr Bannon was subpoenaed last week, the New York Times reports, quoting an unnamed person with direct knowledge of the matter.
However the summons could be a negotiating tactic by Mr Mueller to persuade Mr Bannon to agree to be questioned by investigators in the less formal setting of the special counsel's offices in Washington, the paper's source added.
'To Trump's dismay, a sign inquiry not winding down'
By Anthony Zurcher, BBC News, Washington
As prosecutors hunt for criminal misdeeds, they have a number of arrows in their quiver. One of the more powerful is the grand jury subpoena.
Putting witnesses in the glare of the courtroom spotlight, in front of a panel of jurors, with every word noted and every answer compelled, can be quite revelatory.
Steve Bannon could become the first member of the Trump inner circle to get this treatment.
That he received his court summons just days after news broke that the former Trump campaign head told author Michael Wolff he thought the presidential family could be implicated in money-laundering and treasonous actions may cause some sleepless nights in the White House.
Other top Trump staffers - including former chief-of-staff Reince Priebus, press secretary Sean Spicer and White House counsel Don McGrath - have had informal interviews with the special counsel team. Bannon's subpoena may just be a means of encouraging him to be more co-operative - or a sign that Mr Mueller's investigation has a particular interest in what he has to say.
At the very least, this latest bit of news is a sign that, surely to the dismay of the president, the Russia investigation is far from winding down.
Trump weighs 110kg? Dafuq?
I'm the same height, and weigh not much less than him... I have abs!
He's so full of s***.
I'm the same height, and weigh not much less than him... I have abs!
He's so full of s***.
Is the net closing in?
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/po...cial-counsel-russia-probe-source-says-n838271
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/po...cial-counsel-russia-probe-source-says-n838271
FBI agents visited Steve Bannon’s home last week to discuss subpoena in Russia probe
FBI agents showed up at Steve Bannon’s Washington home last week intent on serving him with a subpoena to appear before a grand jury investigating possible ties between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia, according to a source familiar with the proceedings.
The agents were unaware at the time that Bannon had retained Washington lawyer William Burck just hours earlier, according to two people familiar with the events that took place on Jan. 9. Once redirected, the agents sent the order to Burck, who is also representing two other witnesses in the probe being led by special counsel Robert Mueller, a former director of the FBI.
Bannon, who served as President Donald Trump’s chief strategist until he departed the White House in August, could end up being interviewed by Mueller’s team before the end of the month, according to one source who agreed to discuss the matter on the condition of anonymity.
The subpoena compels Bannon to testify before a grand jury, skipping the voluntary interview with Mueller's team that many in Trump's orbit have elected to take. But Mueller may still leave open the option for an interview in lieu of grand jury testimony. Bannon is likely to accept such an option if it is made available, according to a source close to Bannon.
Three people familiar with the special counsel’s investigation suggested Mueller moved to subpoena Bannon, rather than ask him to voluntarily appear for questioning, in order to thwart any potential attempt by the White House to pressure Bannon into refusing to cooperate.
Bannon revealed he’d been subpoenaed by the grand jury when he met with lawmakers Tuesday behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, where he was questioned for more than 10 hours.
During the course of questioning, Bannon told members of the House Intelligence committee that the White House had instructed him not to answer questions related to his tenure in the administration and the transition period between the election and inauguration, citing a desire to exert executive privilege. The committee responded by issuing a separate subpoena to compel his responses to lawmakers.
Bannon is expected to be more forthcoming with Mueller’s team. “He’ll answer any questions” Mueller wants, one source close to Bannon told NBC News.
FBI agents showed up at Steve Bannon’s Washington home last week intent on serving him with a subpoena to appear before a grand jury investigating possible ties between President Donald Trump's campaign and Russia, according to a source familiar with the proceedings.
The agents were unaware at the time that Bannon had retained Washington lawyer William Burck just hours earlier, according to two people familiar with the events that took place on Jan. 9. Once redirected, the agents sent the order to Burck, who is also representing two other witnesses in the probe being led by special counsel Robert Mueller, a former director of the FBI.
Bannon, who served as President Donald Trump’s chief strategist until he departed the White House in August, could end up being interviewed by Mueller’s team before the end of the month, according to one source who agreed to discuss the matter on the condition of anonymity.
The subpoena compels Bannon to testify before a grand jury, skipping the voluntary interview with Mueller's team that many in Trump's orbit have elected to take. But Mueller may still leave open the option for an interview in lieu of grand jury testimony. Bannon is likely to accept such an option if it is made available, according to a source close to Bannon.
Three people familiar with the special counsel’s investigation suggested Mueller moved to subpoena Bannon, rather than ask him to voluntarily appear for questioning, in order to thwart any potential attempt by the White House to pressure Bannon into refusing to cooperate.
Bannon revealed he’d been subpoenaed by the grand jury when he met with lawmakers Tuesday behind closed doors on Capitol Hill, where he was questioned for more than 10 hours.
During the course of questioning, Bannon told members of the House Intelligence committee that the White House had instructed him not to answer questions related to his tenure in the administration and the transition period between the election and inauguration, citing a desire to exert executive privilege. The committee responded by issuing a separate subpoena to compel his responses to lawmakers.
Bannon is expected to be more forthcoming with Mueller’s team. “He’ll answer any questions” Mueller wants, one source close to Bannon told NBC News.
By law, he's not required to answer any questions posed by a "committee."
Muller's special counsel is a different story.....
then 
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/patty-schactner-wins_us_5a5ec4e2e4b096ecfca88c03
Democrats Score Special Election Upset In Wisconsin GOP Stronghold
Democrat Patty Schachtner won a special election for a state Senate seat in Wisconsin on Tuesday, scoring a huge upset victory for her party in a district that President Donald Trump handily captured just over a year ago.
It was the latest in a string of election victories for Democrats since Trump took office, and a sign of hope for the party that the energy from the base and frustration with the president could lead to more wins in November.
With every precinct counted, The Washington Post reported that Schachtner, the chief medical examiner for St. Croix County, won by 9 percentage points.
Republican Sheila Harsdorf had held the seat since 2001, but she left in November to become Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s agriculture secretary. In 2016, Harsdorf won re-election by 26 percentage points, and Trump beat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by 17 points. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney won the district in 2012.
“This campaign was about investing in people and revitalizing our area, whether that is making sure that every Wisconsinite has access to affordable health care, funding our public schools, technical colleges and UW campuses, or investing in good-paying jobs right here in Western Wisconsin,” Schachtner said in a statement. “Tonight, voters showed that they share those priorities, and I am deeply grateful for their support.”
Attorney Adam Jarchow, Schachtner’s GOP opponent, conceded the race Tuesday night.
This should be a sign of things to come this November. The party that supported Trump (or even just sat silently) is going to pay the price. Bigly. 
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