Comey opening statement posted, now with in person testimony

[edcoolio]

Perhaps it would be wise to let the hearings run their course before calling for adjournment, your honor.

Classic...

 

[VRAMdemon]

It's interesting to watch people hand wave away like its not disturbing in our form of government this guy is expecting the Director of the FBI to be personally loyal to the president. The Director takes an oath to uphold the Constitution of the US - he owes no loyalty to an individual. There is nothing that Comey can say that won't be interpreted in polar opposite ways by each side. The two realities that the country is living in cannot converge at this point. I saw some guy on Fox News the other night make a point that America elected Trump because he didn't know how Washington works so Trump doesn't know any better than to do stupid things which makes everything ok!

Such is the way with narcissists like Trump. Any one who knows how to feign loyalty - no matter how blatantly horrible their qualifications or performance - can wrap Trump around their finger.

Trump would be a much better President if he was a true sociopath, because most true sociopaths aren't motivated out of a desire to be adored and respected. Trump is an easy mark, a naive git for thinking that all the worlds strongmen\dictators are his buddies, just because they are so nice to him.

 

[fskimospy]

Jesus, Comey is lighting Trump up left and right.

What a 'nothing burger'.

 

[Jhhnn]

Good post.

Putin's approval rating soars among republicans:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/204191/putin-image-rises-mostly-among-republicans.aspx

"He messed with our minds & it felt great! Give us more!"

 

[FIVR]

It's all very disturbing and it all indicated that Trump is what we all thought he was (a Russian stooge) but Comey refuses to cast any judgment on Trump's actions. Sound and Fury as usual.



And I didn't say the hearing should stop. It serves a purpose to have Comey up there if only to hold Trump's feet to the fire. If Comey could spend the rest of his life at that desk answering questions it would please me greatly even if it never got Trump impeached.

 

[yllus]

Republicans (aside from Rubio) are asking some useful, incisive questions of Comey. It's heartening to see that happen.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

@K1052 a thread title update is in order please

 

[TheVrolok]

Jesus, Comey is lighting Trump up left and right.

What a 'nothing burger'.

I'm so bummed I'm missing this. Hopefully the transcript will come quickly thereafter.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

It's all very disturbing and it all indicated that Trump is what we all thought he was (a Russian stooge) but Comey refuses to cast any judgment on Trump's actions. Sound and Fury as usual.



And I didn't say the hearing should stop. It serves a purpose to have Comey up there if only to hold Trump's feet to the fire. If Comey could spend the rest of his life at that desk answering questions it would please me greatly even if it never got Trump impeached.

It's not surprising. It's up to Mueller to determine what, if any, criminality exists. Comey will only state what occurred without drawing opinion. I would bet that is by design after his meetings with Mueller before testifying.

 

[K1052]

So about these other unknown things that are classified which led into the Sessions recusal re:Russia....

 

[brycejones]

It's not surprising. It's up to Mueller to determine what, if any, criminality exists. Comey will only state what occurred without drawing opinion. I would bet that is by design after his meetings with Mueller before testifying.

I wonder if Trump is dumb enough to start asking Mueller for meetings.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

I wonder if Trump is dumb enough to start asking Mueller for meetings.

Right now I'm wondering if they have him locked up in the basement of the White House so he can't tweet. Has to be killing him to be silent.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I wonder if Trump is dumb enough to start asking Mueller for meetings.

I heard earlier today Trump is sitting down with his Lawyers for most of his free time today. I'm sure its to prevent tweeting and arranging any stupid meetings. I think the added bonus is they will keep him away from the TV today too.

 

[yllus]

Sen Cotton: Do you believe Donald Trump colluded with Russia?
Comey: I don't believe I should answer that question; not in an open session.

 

[HomerJS]

Comey testified he took notes because knowing Trump he was concerned Trump would lie about encounter.

In other words I'm dealing with a serial liar and I need backup.

 

[HomerJS]

This is all turning into just more screen time for Comey.

"Did you see evidence of Obstruction?" Comey: "No, not 'evidence', blah blah blah..."


"Do you think your job was contingent upon letting Flynn go?" Comey: "I wouldn't go that far, blah blah blah..."



He just says no and equivocates or makes excuses for why Trump might act that way, all the while the innuendo is that he was acting illegally. So he justifies his appearance here and possibly future ones while giving nobody (either Trump or the Dems) anything useful in ending the conflict. He successfully pisses everyone off and grandstands for hours, and gets to walk out of the hearing with his reputation "in tact".


Comey wins again. America loses.

He doesn't have to justify his appearance. Hearing was called by Republicans. Your beef is with them

 

[dank69]

Jesus, Comey is lighting Trump up left and right.

What a 'nothing burger'.

Highlights for those of us that can't watch?

 

[SKORPI0]

Comey - "I don't think I can answer that in an open setting".

 

[Mai72]

It's interesting to watch people hand wave away like its not disturbing in our form of government this guy is expecting the Director of the FBI to be personally loyal to the president. The Director takes an oath to uphold the Constitution of the US - he owes no loyalty to an individual. There is nothing that Comey can say that won't be interpreted in polar opposite ways by each side. The two realities that the country is living in cannot converge at this point. I saw some guy on Fox News the other night make a point that America elected Trump because he didn't know how Washington works so Trump doesn't know any better than to do stupid things which makes everything ok!

Such is the way with narcissists like Trump. Any one who knows how to feign loyalty - no matter how blatantly horrible their qualifications or performance - can wrap Trump around their finger.

Trump would be a much better President if he was a true sociopath, because most true sociopaths aren't motivated out of a desire to be adored and respected. Trump is an easy mark, a naive git for thinking that all the worlds strongmen\dictators are his buddies, just because they are so nice to him.

Which is why we are in the beginning stage of America's downfall. No country can exist when most of the population are at exact opposites. Think Rome. We don't have to worry about China, NK or Russia. We will self destruct within.

Which brings me to Comey and Trump. I'm sorry, but I don't see anything happening to Trump. The Dems don't have the votes and there aren't going to be too many Republicans willing to cross party lines. I hope that I'm wrong but I doubt it.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

Apparently Jr. is on a Twitter tear during the testimony. Can't see that either.... dammit.

 

[fskimospy]

Highlights for those of us that can't watch?

I'm not watching either, just reading some excerpts. Basically he said he took notes about their meetings because he knew Trump was a liar, that he is certain Trump fired him over the Russia investigation, and that Trump knew his actions were wrong because he purposefully cleared the room before doing them.

 

[vi edit]

I think this was over with Risch's questioning. The marching orders are going to be "Hope isn't demanding" and not grounds for obstruction. It's just not going to go any further.

Other notes...Fuck Tom "Forrest Gump" Cotton and double fuck Roy Blunt and his bullshit. On the flipside, Ron Wyden is an over the top partisan hack.

Angus King continues to awesome and one of the highlights of these committees.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

nm can't figure out how to embed a tweet

 

[fskimospy]

I think this was over with Risch's questioning. The marching orders are going to be "Hope isn't demanding" and not grounds for obstruction. It's just not going to go any further.

That's going to be a reeeeeealy tough sell. I mean the immediate response is 'nice place you have here, I hope nothing happens to it.' Nobody is going to buy that shit unless they are already sold on trump.

Also, court precedent clearly shows 'hope' phrases have been grounds for obstruction.

Other notes...Fuck Tom "Forrest Gump" Cotton and double fuck Roy Blunt and his bullshit. On the flipside, Ron Wyden is an over the top partisan hack.

Angus King continues to awesome and one of the highlights of these committees.

Meh, what did you expect? Party before country.

 

[woolfe9998]

That's going to be a reeeeeealy tough sell. I mean the immediate response is 'nice place you have here, I hope nothing happens to it.' Nobody is going to buy that shit unless they are already sold on trump.

Also, court precedent clearly shows 'hope' phrases have been grounds for obstruction.

Yes, and just to be clear on this point, when one's boss asks for something, regardless of how the request is framed, it's pretty much always going to be taken as an order. On Fox News I saw them arguing this point about "I hope" the other day and analogizing it to when a friend or relative makes a "request." They're counting on people being really, really stupid to not understand the distinction.