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Wednesday, July 29, 2020
AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL ASSOCIATION: Final call for nominations: 2020 Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching.
REMEMBERING TRUMPS DISGRACE: ARTICLES AND POSTS FROM HIS IMPEACHMENT. BREAKING DOWN THE MUELLER REPORT...ONE STEP AT A TIME. PT 1.
THE FOLLOWING IS MY PERSONAL REVIEW OF THE FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE MUELLER REPORT. GIVEN ITS EXTENSIVE LENGTH, I WILL ATTEMPT TO BREAK IT DOWN SECTION BY SECTION. (IT'S OVER 400 PAGES.) THE ANALYSIS WILL ATTEMPT TO STICK TO THE MOST PERTINENT POINTS, ADDRESSING WHAT I FEEL TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES IN TERMS OF A LASTING IMPACT ON OUR LEGAL SYSTEM, AND THE DANGEROUS PRECEDENTS BEING SET BY IGNORING OR DENYING CONCLUSIONS THAT CAN BE REASONABLY DEDUCED OR INFERRED FROM THE DATA.
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INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME 1.
In a very telling and dramatic way, this section begins with the following Statement:
"The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion..."
This is an unqualified conclusion that tells us that the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT had an active role in attempting to influence and determine the outcome of the 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. It does not say "...could have interferred..." or "...may have interferred...", it's a direct accusation that the MUELLER REPORT MAKES, arrived at by the evidence that was uncovered.
Further on, the following is stated in the report.
"As set forth in detail in this report, the Special Counsel's investigation established that Russia interfere~ in the 2016 presidential election principally through two operations. First, a Russian entity carried out a social media campaign that favored presidential candidate Donald J. Trump and disparaged presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Second, a Russian intelligence service conducted computer-intrusion operations against entities, employees, and volunteers working on the Clinton Campaign and then released stolen documents."
Part of what was uncovered, and prompted the FBI to begin an investigation into possible TRUMP CAMPAIGN coordination with the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT in its activities, is the following taken from the REPORT:
"...a foreign government contacted the FBI about a May 2016 encounter with Trump Campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos. Papadopoulos had suggested to a representative of that foreign government that the Trump Campaign had received indications from the Russian government that it could assist the Campaign through the anonymous release of information damaging to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton."
What is interesting about this revelation, because it was a major reason that the FBI began its initial
investigation into possible ties between the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT and the TRUMP CAMPAIGN, was the fact that it became known to the FBI from an outside source, and not from any member of the TRUMP CAMPAIGN.
TO BE CONTINUED...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME 1.
In a very telling and dramatic way, this section begins with the following Statement:
"The Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion..."
This is an unqualified conclusion that tells us that the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT had an active role in attempting to influence and determine the outcome of the 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. It does not say "...could have interferred..." or "...may have interferred...", it's a direct accusation that the MUELLER REPORT MAKES, arrived at by the evidence that was uncovered.
Further on, the following is stated in the report.
"As set forth in detail in this report, the Special Counsel's investigation established that Russia interfere~ in the 2016 presidential election principally through two operations. First, a Russian entity carried out a social media campaign that favored presidential candidate Donald J. Trump and disparaged presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Second, a Russian intelligence service conducted computer-intrusion operations against entities, employees, and volunteers working on the Clinton Campaign and then released stolen documents."
Part of what was uncovered, and prompted the FBI to begin an investigation into possible TRUMP CAMPAIGN coordination with the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT in its activities, is the following taken from the REPORT:
"...a foreign government contacted the FBI about a May 2016 encounter with Trump Campaign foreign policy advisor George Papadopoulos. Papadopoulos had suggested to a representative of that foreign government that the Trump Campaign had received indications from the Russian government that it could assist the Campaign through the anonymous release of information damaging to Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton."
What is interesting about this revelation, because it was a major reason that the FBI began its initial
investigation into possible ties between the RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT and the TRUMP CAMPAIGN, was the fact that it became known to the FBI from an outside source, and not from any member of the TRUMP CAMPAIGN.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Saturday, July 25, 2020
Joe Biden's stunning plan could save the planet from a climate catastrophe- 314 ACTION.
Joe Biden JUST unveiled one of the most monumental climate plans in the history of the United States:
Experts warn time is running out to act on the climate crisis.
Before we go into the details we want to hear from you: Do you support Biden’s plan to reach 100% clean electricity in the U.S. in fifteen years?
We want to make sure you know the details behind the Biden Climate Plan, which was dubbed:
“The single most comprehensive and ambitious climate plan ever advanced by a major presidential nominee,” by the Co-Founder of Evergreen Action.
This is the most ambitious climate plan proposed by a Democratic Presidential nominee: Do you support Biden’s Climate Plan?
The climate crisis will define the 21st century. Thank you for weighing in on this critical plan to address that crisis.
314 Action
Experts warn time is running out to act on the climate crisis.
Before we go into the details we want to hear from you: Do you support Biden’s plan to reach 100% clean electricity in the U.S. in fifteen years?
| Yes! | No | Unsure |
We want to make sure you know the details behind the Biden Climate Plan, which was dubbed:
“The single most comprehensive and ambitious climate plan ever advanced by a major presidential nominee,” by the Co-Founder of Evergreen Action.
This is the most ambitious climate plan proposed by a Democratic Presidential nominee: Do you support Biden’s Climate Plan?
| Yes! | No | Unsure |
314 Action
Friday, July 24, 2020
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (D) listened to the experts and they agreed: THOUSANDS of lives would be saved with a mask mandate at a time when Georgia’s infection rate is skyrocketing.
Now, GOP Gov. Brian Kemp is SUING HER to reverse the order and demanding she back down immediately.
But she refuses! Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is standing up for science and standing tall against GOP efforts to silence and intimidate her. In fact, she told Kemp: SEE YOU IN COURT!
We want to show Mayor Bottoms that we are with her: Can we get 10,000 supporters to step up and add their names to stand with Mayor Bottoms in solidarity at this crucial moment?
This is a disturbing new low: GOP Gov. Kemp is SUING ANYONE who mandates wearing face masks after his Administration was caught MANIPULATING COVID-19 data. Georgia is one of the world’s COVID-19 hotspots because of his failed leadership.
Rather than correcting course, listening to public health experts, or letting disciplined local leaders like Mayor Bottoms take initiative, his Administration is PUNISHING anyone who dares to disagree with him.
As a reminder, this is the SAME Governor who STOLE Georgia’s 2018 Gubernatorial Election by disenfranchising more than one million Georgians from voting.
Mayor Bottoms is being targeted by the GOP and attacked by the Georgia Governor. Add your name to show Mayor Bottoms that we are with her in this fight and support her leadership! In solidarity,
314 Action Alert
Now, GOP Gov. Brian Kemp is SUING HER to reverse the order and demanding she back down immediately.
But she refuses! Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is standing up for science and standing tall against GOP efforts to silence and intimidate her. In fact, she told Kemp: SEE YOU IN COURT!
We want to show Mayor Bottoms that we are with her: Can we get 10,000 supporters to step up and add their names to stand with Mayor Bottoms in solidarity at this crucial moment?
This is a disturbing new low: GOP Gov. Kemp is SUING ANYONE who mandates wearing face masks after his Administration was caught MANIPULATING COVID-19 data. Georgia is one of the world’s COVID-19 hotspots because of his failed leadership.Rather than correcting course, listening to public health experts, or letting disciplined local leaders like Mayor Bottoms take initiative, his Administration is PUNISHING anyone who dares to disagree with him.
As a reminder, this is the SAME Governor who STOLE Georgia’s 2018 Gubernatorial Election by disenfranchising more than one million Georgians from voting.
Mayor Bottoms is being targeted by the GOP and attacked by the Georgia Governor. Add your name to show Mayor Bottoms that we are with her in this fight and support her leadership! In solidarity,
314 Action Alert
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
REMEMBERING TRUMPS DISGRACE: ARTICLES AND POSTS FROM HIS IMPEACHMENT.THE MUELLER REPORT. PART 4. (BARR SUMMARY LETTER)
As we examine the Summary Letter provided by ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR. IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ON WHAT IT DOES NOT TELL US, AS MUCH AS WHAT IT DOES TELL US.
When speaking of RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE in the 2016 election, we have a problem:
There is the wording in the report, made public, which we can analyze. However, when we talk
about information that has not been released, we only have the ATTORNEY GENERALS INTERPRETATION OF WHAT SUCH INFORMATION REVEALS.
QUESTION #1. RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE- IT SEEMS THERE IS A NOTICEABLE LACK OF INFORMATION CONCERNING WHICH RUSSIAN GROUPS, ATTEMPTING TO INFLUENCE THE 2016 ELECTION, CAN BE CONSIDERED SANCTIONED AND DIRECTED BY THE PUTIN GOVERNMENT, AND THOSE WHO ACTED INDEPENDENTLY.
QUESTION #2. HOW DO WE MEASURE THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN, IN TERMS OF WHO HAD THE AUTHORITY TO COORDINATE OR REPRESENT THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEES INTERESTS. IN OTHER WORDS, WHO HAD THE CAPACITY TO LEGALLY SPEAK OR ACT FOR THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN?
WHY ARE THE TWO ABOVE QUESTIONS SO IMPORTANT?
ACCORDING TO THE SUMMARY LETTER, THE FOLLOWING IS THE DEFINITION USED BY THE SPECIAL COUNSEL IN DETERMINING POSSIBLE CHARGES AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN.
The Special Counsel defined "coordination" as an "agreement-tacit or express-between the Trump Campaign and the Russian government on election interference."
IF THIS IS THE ONLY DEFINITION USED, THE SPECIAL COUNSELS REPORT CLEARS UP NOTHING, AND OPENS
UP SOME DISTURBING POSSIBILITIES.
HOW SO?
IF WE ACCEPT THAT THE ABOVE DEFINITION IS THE
SOLE MEASUREMENT FOR PROSECUTION, IT LEAVES US WITH THE FOLLOWING POSSIBLE SCENARIOS:
SCENARIO #1- A RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT OPERATIVE ENLISTS A TRUMP CAMPAIGN WORKER WITH A PLAN TO AID DONALD TRUMP, BY GATHERING AND DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION THAT IS ANECDOTAL IN NATURE, AND FULL OF INNUENDO AND UNSUBSTANTIATED INFORMATION.
SCENARIO #2- A TRUMP ELECTION OFFICIAL APPROACHES A RUSSIAN NATIONAL,WHO CONDUCTS BUSINESS IN THE U.S. THE REASON? HE ASKS THE BUSINESSMAN IF HE COULD OBTAIN "SPECIAL INFORMATION" THAT WOULD AID DONALD TRUMP IN WINNING THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
THESE ARE EXAMPLES, NOT ACCUSATIONS. THE POINT IS THIS: IF SCENARIOS LIKE THIS, OR OTHER SIMILAR ONES DID OCCUR, NO LEGAL ACTION WOULD BE TAKEN BY THE SPECIAL COUNSEL. WHY? BECAUSE IN NEITHER CASE WAS THE DEFINITION OF PROSECUTORIAL CONDUCT MET.
REMEMBER, IN THE ABOVE DEFINITION, THE "TRUMP CAMPAIGN," AND THE "RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT" HAD TO
BOTH BE INVOLVED, NOT JUST ONE. THE EXAMPLES OF A TRUMP CAMPAIGN WORKER, OR A RUSSIAN BUSINESSMAN,
SHOW US THAT "COLLUSION," OR "ELECTION INTERFERENCE" COULD OCCUR. HOWEVER, THE CONCLUSION OF THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN BEING INNOCENT OF SUCH ACCUSATIONS, AS THE SUMMARY LETTER IMPLIES, WOULD BE VALID, EVEN IF CRIMINAL ACTS WERE PRESENT IN BOTH SCENARIOS.
Sunday, July 19, 2020
The latest polls have our scientists SURGING in seven states. 314 ACTION.
We’re entering the final stretch of the 2020 elections and the latest polling in battleground states across the country show our endorsed Democratic scientists SURGING against their GOP opponents into a DEAD-HEAT.
If we all pitch in, Democrats could retake the White House, flip the Senate, expand their House Majority, and flip a handful of state legislatures. Or, Republicans could pull ahead at the last second and we could lose it ALL.   |
Thank you,
314 Action.
NOT EVEN FOX CAN MAKE THE POTUS LOOK GOOD. Trump flails in interview with Wallace, citing false and nonexistent data on COVID-19.
BY CHRISTOPHER WILSON.
In an interview with Fox News’s Chris Wallace that aired Sunday, President Trump defended his handling of the coronavirus pandemic — with incorrect data that had to be corrected by Wallace — and insisted that Vice President Joe Biden wants to defund the police, which Wallace disputed. The White House was unable to provide any evidence for the claim.
Trump continued his long effort to minimize the risk from COVID-19, insisting “I’ll be right eventually” that the coronavirus will disappear on its own, an assertion he first made on Jan. 22 when he said, “We have it under control. It’s going to be just fine.”
“I'll be right eventually. I will be right eventually. You know I said, ‘It's going to disappear.’ I'll say it again,” Trump declared to Wallace.
More than 140,000 Americans have died of COVID-19, as the national death rate has ticked up to almost 1,000 a day. Many states had their deadliest seven-day stretches over the last week. Trump and his allies have pointed to increased testing for the spike in cases, but in many areas the positivity rate is much higher than it is in most other countries.
Wallace, considered the most independent-minded Fox News anchor, did his best to hold Trump accountable during the interview, which was conducted late last week on the White House grounds outside the Oval Office. But it was a largely futile effort, as Trump deflected uncomfortable questions about COVID-19 by returning to his favorite statistic, about how the U.S. has “the best testing in the world.”
“But, sir, testing is up 37 percent,” Wallace said.
“Well, that's good,” Trump responded.
Wallace: “I understand. Cases are up 194 percent. It isn't just that testing has gone up, it's that the virus has spread. The positivity rate has increased.”
At that juncture, Trump resorted to claiming that the coronavirus isn’t actually all that bad: “Many of those cases are young people that would heal in a day. They have the sniffles and we put it down as a test. Many of them — don't forget, I guess it's like 99.7 percent, people are going to get better and in many cases they’re going to get better very quickly.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Robert Redfield said last week, “I do think this fall and winter of 2020, 2021, are probably going to be one of the most difficult times that we’ve experienced in American public health.”
“I don't know and I don't think he knows. I don't think anybody knows with this. This is a very tricky deal,” Trump said.
To support his dismissal of scientific expertise on the pandemic, he cited misleading speculation, early in the pandemic, that it might disappear in the summer.
“Everybody thought this summer it would go away and it would come back in the fall,” said Trump. “Well, when the summer came, they used to say the heat — the heat was good for it and it really knocks it out, remember? And then it might come back in the fall. So they got that one wrong.”
The first prominent person to make that claim was Trump himself, back in February, when he said, “Looks like by April, you know, in theory, when it gets a little warmer, it miraculously goes away.”
On Saturday, the Washington Post reported that the White House was attempting to block money for states that would fund testing and contact-tracing in the upcoming stimulus bill being negotiated in Congress. The administration is also trying to block funding for the CDC, Pentagon and State Department that would go to combatting the virus.
Trump said he had a “very good relationship” with Dr. Anthony Fauci but added, “He's a little bit of an alarmist.” Trump also said Fauci had been wrong early in the fight.
The interview comes as Trump has fallen behind Biden by double-digits in a number of polls, both nationally and in some swing states.
On Friday, Fox News aired a preview of the internet ad in which Trump claims Joe Biden supported eliminating police in the United States. Trump was referring to a set of policy proposals jointly suggested by allies of Biden and those of Sen. Bernie Sanders, the primary’s runner-up, which did not address defunding the police, let alone abolishing them.
“It says nothing about defunding the police,” Wallace pointed out.
Trump pounced, believing he had caught Wallace in a mistake.
“Chris, you’ve got to start studying for these.”
He called for one of his aides to give him a copy of the “charter” that lays out a platform signed by Biden and his former rival Sen. Bernie Sanders, and began paging through it, looking for the reference to defunding the police. He couldn’t find it, Wallace reported in a subsequent voiceover, adding: “The White House never sent us evidence the Bernie-Biden platform calls for defunding or abolishing police — because there is none. It calls for increased funding for police departments — that meet certain standards. Biden has called for redirecting some police funding for related programs — like mental health counseling.”
Later Friday, Trump appeared to attempt damage control, tweeting, “Corrupt Joe Biden wants to defund our police. He may use different words, but when you look at his pact with Crazy Bernie, and other things, that’s what he wants to do. It would destroy America!”
Trump leaned in to one of his leading campaign themes, that “leftists” are trying to destroy the country. Wallace braced him on it:
“You said our children are taught in school to hate our country. Where do you see that?”
TRUMP: “I just look at — I look at school. I watch, I read, look at the stuff. Now they want to change — 1492, Columbus discovered America. You know, we grew up, you grew up, we all did, that’s what we learned. Now they want to make it the 1619 Project. Where did that come from? What does it represent? I don’t even know, so.”
WALLACE: “It’s slavery.”
When asked about renaming military bases named after Confederate officers, a move supported by many in the military, Trump said, “I don’t care what the military says.”
“We’re going to name it after the Reverend Al Sharpton?” Trump said, arbitrarily suggesting the name of the Black civil rights leader.” “What are you going to name it, Chris, tell me what you’re going to name it? So there’s a whole thing here. We won two World Wars, two World Wars, beautiful World Wars that were vicious and horrible, and we won them out of Fort Bragg, we won out of all of these forts that now they want to throw those names away.”
The interview touched on Trump’s claims about his own energy and mental acuity, which he often contrasts with Biden’s.
When Wallace asked Trump if he believed Biden was senile, Trump said, “I don’t want to say that” but then claimed, “Joe doesn't know he's alive, OK? He doesn't know he's alive. Do the American people want that?” When Wallace referenced a new poll that showed voters believed Biden was more competent, Trump again referenced a cognitive test he’s recently been bragging about acing.
“Well, I'll tell you what, let’s take a test,” Trump said. “Let’s take a test right now. Let’s go down, Joe and I will take a test. Let him take the same test that I took.”
“Incidentally, I took the test too when I heard that you passed it,” Wallace replied.
“Yeah, how did you do?” inquired Trump.
“It's not — well it's not the hardest test,” said Wallace. “They have a picture and it says, ‘What’s that?’ and it’s an elephant.”
“No no no,” said Trump. “You see, that’s all misrepresentation.”
“Well, that's what it was on the web,” said Wallace.
“It’s all misrepresentation,” Trump said. “Because, yes, the first few questions are easy, but I'll bet you couldn't even answer the last five questions. I’ll bet you couldn't, they get very hard, the last five questions.”
Near the conclusion of the interview, Trump declined to say he’d accept November’s election results.
“I have to see. Look ... I have to see,” Trump said. “No, I’m not going to just say yes. I’m not going to say no, and I didn’t last time either.”
REMEMBERING TRUMPS DISGRACE: ARTICLES AND POSTS FROM HIS IMPEACHMENT.THE MUELLER REPORT. PART 3. BY ANY OTHER NAME. (BARR SUMMARY LETTER).
The main problem with Attorney General Barrs summary of the Special Counsels report, when relating information about Russian Interference in the 2016 election, and possible collusion with members of the Donald Trump Campaign, is a failure to clarify Terms and Definitions. This is especially important when the summary letter quotes actual parts of the Special Councels Report dealing with POSSIBLE RUSSIAN INVOLVEMENT IN THE 2016 ELECTION.
This occurs twice:
As the report states: "[T]he investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian Government in its election interference activities."
The Special Counsel defined "coordination" as an "agreement-tacit or express-between the Trump Campaign and the Russian government on election interference."
As you can see, when the Report itself is quoted, the term "RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT" IS USED with no qualifications, it is clear and consise. However, the Barr Summary letter uses multiple terms that creates confusion as to what is actually being discussed, and the exact nature of who and what is being accused or exonerated.
FROM THE SUMMARY LETTER WE GET:
- "...the results of the Special Counsel's investigation into Russia's interference..."
- "... persons associated with the Russian government in connection..."
- "... joined the Russian conspiracies..."
- "... Special Counsel found that Russian government actors..."
- "... Russian military officers for conspiring to hack into computers..."
-"... Russian-affiliated individuals to assist the Trump campaign.
What this doesn't tell us is if these were RUSSIAN NATIONALS
WORKING:
- WITHOUT THE KNOWLEGE OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
- WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
- ON BEHALF OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
- INDEPENDENT OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
- AS A MEMBER OF, OR EMPLOYED BY, THE
RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
THIS WOULD INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT WHO WENT "RENEGADE."
TO BE CONTINUED...
This occurs twice:
As the report states: "[T]he investigation did not establish that members of the Trump Campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian Government in its election interference activities."
The Special Counsel defined "coordination" as an "agreement-tacit or express-between the Trump Campaign and the Russian government on election interference."
As you can see, when the Report itself is quoted, the term "RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT" IS USED with no qualifications, it is clear and consise. However, the Barr Summary letter uses multiple terms that creates confusion as to what is actually being discussed, and the exact nature of who and what is being accused or exonerated.
FROM THE SUMMARY LETTER WE GET:
- "...the results of the Special Counsel's investigation into Russia's interference..."
- "... persons associated with the Russian government in connection..."
- "... joined the Russian conspiracies..."
- "... Special Counsel found that Russian government actors..."
- "... Russian military officers for conspiring to hack into computers..."
-"... Russian-affiliated individuals to assist the Trump campaign.
What this doesn't tell us is if these were RUSSIAN NATIONALS
WORKING:
- WITHOUT THE KNOWLEGE OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
- WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
- ON BEHALF OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
- INDEPENDENT OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
- AS A MEMBER OF, OR EMPLOYED BY, THE
RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.
THIS WOULD INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT WHO WENT "RENEGADE."
TO BE CONTINUED...
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