Saturday, May 27, 2017

The biggest story to break last night, Jared Kushner attempted to establish a "back channel" to secretly communicate with the Russians.

Courtesy of WaPo: 

Jared Kushner and Russia’s ambassador to Washington discussed the possibility of setting up a secret and secure communications channel between Trump’s transition team and the Kremlin, using Russian diplomatic facilities in an apparent move to shield their pre-inauguration discussions from monitoring, according to U.S. officials briefed on intelligence reports. 

Ambassador Sergey Kislyak reported to his superiors in Moscow that Kushner, son-in-law and confidant to then-President-elect Trump, made the proposal during a meeting on Dec. 1 or 2 at Trump Tower, according to intercepts of Russian communications that were reviewed by U.S. officials. Kislyak said Kushner suggested using Russian diplomatic facilities in the United States for the communications. 

The meeting also was attended by Michael Flynn, Trump’s first national security adviser. 

The White House disclosed the meeting only in March, playing down its significance. But people familiar with the matter say the FBI now considers the encounter, as well as another meeting Kushner had with a Russian banker, to be of investigative interest.

Gee, ya think?

When I first heard this news my first thought was, wait didn't we already hear this?

That's when I remembered a story from last month about Erik Prince, Betsy DeVos' brother, working to establish the same kind of back channel: 

The United Arab Emirates arranged a secret meeting in January between Blackwater founder Erik Prince and a Russian close to President Vladi­mir Putin as part of an apparent effort to establish a back-channel line of communication between Moscow and President-elect Donald Trump, according to U.S., European and Arab officials. 

According to the article the Prince meeting happened about a month or so after Kushner's meeting, which essentially proves that this was something that the Trump team really wanted to set up, and not some spur of the moment suggestion.

Now the question to ask yourself is why in the hell would a presidential transition team want so badly to set up a communication network, controlled by the Russians mind you, that would bypass our own intelligence gathering agencies?

Go ahead, try to think of a reason that does not make this group seem to be the Keystone Kops of Russian spies.

While you are contemplating that I should also inform you that a Russian oligarch with ties to Trump's former campaign manager is now seeking immunity from Congress 

Oleg V. Deripaska, a Russian oligarch once close to President Trump’s former campaign manager, has offered to cooperate with congressional committees investigating Russian meddling in the 2016 election, but lawmakers are unwilling to accept his conditions, according to congressional officials. 

Mr. Deripaska’s offer comes amid increased attention to his ties to Paul Manafort, who is one of several Trump associates under F.B.I. scrutiny for possible collusion with Russia during the presidential campaign. The two men did business together in the mid-2000s, when Mr. Manafort, a Republican operative, was also providing campaign advice to Kremlin-backed politicians in Ukraine. Their relationship subsequently soured and devolved into a lawsuit.

Like I said in an email to my friend yesterday, what we are seeing right now is no longer just smoke. This is clearly fire. 

And perhaps that is why the Senate Intelligence Committee is now requesting  ALL campaign documents that relate to Russia.

40 comments:

  1. Perhaps Flynn flipped..... I still can't believe that a US General would be involved so deeply in communist monies.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:31 AM

      And Trump is instructing all fans in the White House be turned off...

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:18 AM

      Plus microwaves!!

      Delete
  2. Anonymous8:38 AM

    http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/26/politics/nicholas-burns-russia-trump-administration-erin-burnett-cnntv/

    Odd
    http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/jon-huntsman-be-trump-s-ambassador-russia-n730926

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Huntsman_Jr.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous8:40 AM

    They just cancelled Bumbledore's rally in Iowa too..can't have him going off script defending Jared. The Keystone Kops admin is about to grind to a sickening halt.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous9:09 AM

      What are they going to do? Have him show up to the podium ala "Dr. No" Cheney at President Obama's initial inauguration?

      I wonder if press will even be allowed at his touchdown into the US. Tough getting a stretcher down that long flight of stairs.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:33 AM

      They'll take him down on a chair. Symbolic if you think of his first downwards motion on his escalator to announce his candidacy.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous8:53 AM

    I remember your post on Erik Prince, Gryph, and all it took was a little research to know why DeVros was picked at Sec Of Ed when she has absolutely no business being such.

    And it's only been four months???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous2:25 PM

      It seems like 10 years Minimum.

      Delete
  5. It was clear from the start that trump's only interest in running for president was in making money off it. When he "won", he realized that he could also use the presidency to try to exact petty revenge for every imagined slight, especially against President Obama's legacy.

    As for the rest of his thieving clan, their only interest was and is profiting from the presidency and robbing the people's treasury blind.

    None of them have any more interest in governing or serving their country than they have ever had (which is none at all).

    Hopefully their incredible ignorance of how the government works will be their downfall. Also their inability to comprehend that there are those in government and the press who actually care about this country and can't be bought off by money-grubbing traitors promising to toss them a buck in return for their silence.

    Their chickenshit east coast real estate "empire" has no power at all compared to the intelligence community of this country and our allies put together.

    They have been in over their heads from the day trump announced his candidacy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:14 AM

      Here Here

      Delete
    2. Anonymous9:15 AM

      And short time, have only proved what a great leader President Obama is and the legacy he will leave thanks to them!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous9:31 AM

      Real>
      https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/23/magazine/jared-kushners-other-real-estate-empire.html?_r=0

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kushner_Companies

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/666_Fifth_Avenue

      Delete
    4. Anonymous11:12 PM

      It was about making money and about winning. Trump's identity revolves around beating the other guy. He's not doing so well now, which makes him unpredictable and potentially more dangerous.

      What will happen when his whole charade is exposed? Stay tuned.

      Delete
  6. Undisclosed contacts:

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-trump-son-law-had-undisclosed-contacts-russian-004339539.html

    Establish a backdoor:

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jared-kushner-kremlin_us_5928b55ce4b053f2d2ac9e6d?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009

    And Manfort is going to be the first to sing, you just wait. He'll cut a deal for immunity.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/deripaska-manafort-immunity_us_5928c0f4e4b0065b20b6be81?section=us_politics

    "A Russian oligarch who secretly employed Donald Trump’s campaign manager, Paul Manafort, offered to testify before congressional committees investigating Russia’s meddling in the U.S. election, but only if he’s granted immunity from prosecution, The New York Times reported Friday.

    Lawmakers have so far turned down the demands of aluminum billionaire Oleg Deripaska, lest an immunity deal compromise criminal investigations into whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia to influence the election, according to the Times. Manafort is said to be a key figure in the FBI’s investigation."

    "Last month, Manafort was to register with the U.S. Department of Justice as a foreign agent, as is required for someone on the payroll of a foreign interest.

    The FBI also is reportedly investigating activities of Trump’s ousted National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, former campaign advisers Carter Page and Roger Stone, and top White House aide and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner.

    Deripaska, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, traveled several times to the U.S. from 2011 to 2014 on a diplomatic passport, according to the Times. He was unable to obtain regular business visas for travel to the U.S. because of suspicions by American officials that he was linked to the Russian mob — which Deripaska has denied."

    Yep, I think Manafort is going to be the first to fold. He'll want the deal before Flynn, Page and Stone. Kushner probably thinks he's untouchable, even though he is the little bitch of the group and would be the first to cave to pressure. Manafort on the other hand is sly, will probably see what's coming long before the others and rush to be the first to cut the deal and protect himself while all of the others fall. I think he has the biggest self-preservation urge among all of them so will be the one to sell out.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous9:18 AM

    Donnie and Jared seem to prefer Russian and Saudi Arabian 'justice.' But hey. We should allow both of them their day in American court, but if they decline no problem. Let them choose traveling to see their adopted countries where "justice" would to choose between a polonium cocktail or beheading.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Anonymous9:47 AM

      Donny really wants to shoot people like Clinton with anti-aircraft guns like they do in North Korea.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:23 AM

      @9:47 dRUMPf has already done it on 5th Ave.
      It was HIS initiation DARE ya into the>
      Ru$$ian Mafia Mob years ago.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:59 AM

      If he think he's coming back to a hero's welcome.....snort! That goes for all of 'em!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous9:02 PM

      Iran just said Saudi Arabia will fall. Thank you God!
      Live Entertainment anyone?

      Delete
  8. Anonymous9:33 AM

    It all seems so befitting, and to the losers that voted for him. It's not like they weren't warned, and the "but, but, but" excuses are wearing ever thinner.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous9:48 AM

    Comrade Gryphen if you keep posting this information, KGB agent Sarah P. will bomb your house.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:33 AM

      Whether you are kidding or not?
      Sarah Palin is already on this ice.
      Many good folks have had their fill of these obstructionists.
      It has become Paramount to hold these morons accountable by the people.
      No longer a laughing matter.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:38 AM

      Depending on the amount of information subpoenaed that they actually receive, wanna bet how many times $arah's name is redacted?

      From her "when Putin rears his head, where does he go?" comment in '08, to TAWD's international prostitution ring and the saintly madonna Bristol's BFF Marina the Russian porn queen. Complicit.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous11:16 AM

      @10:38 From Ru$$ia with Love...

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:18 PM

      Naw they are weasels who think mechanically screwing with rigs will do the trick.
      Tricks are for kids! Shrug.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous11:53 AM

      @8:18
      They say shrugging keeps your shoulders from locking up.

      Delete
  10. 9:48
    Sarah can't find her butt with two hands so how is she going to bomb anyone's abode?
    Besides, Toad and Punk Child No. 1 are worthless. Her other goons have no idea what security Jesse has. And their pictures would be published.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:08 AM

      Well, on this their first anniversary, we know from instagram that Bristol think she traded up!
      bwahahaha

      Delete
    2. Anonymous11:55 AM

      Besides staying bombed on irish cream and pills, $ara's ass is flat. So, no, she certainly can't find it with her hands.
      Might take a telescope.

      Delete
  11. Kushner's got a lawyer show says he's ready to talk to the FBI.

    https://www.yahoo.com/news/lawyer-says-kushner-willing-cooperate-investigators-071638958--politics.html

    "If the FBI wants to talk to Jared Kushner about his Russian contacts, they won't have to track down the president's son-in-law. Amid reports the FBI is scrutinizing Kushner's encounters, his lawyer says he stands ready to talk to federal investigators as well as Congress about his contacts and his role in Donald Trump's 2016 campaign."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous10:54 AM

      And anyone that thinks he's going to tell the truth is a moron. Obfuscate!

      Delete
  12. Anonymous11:25 AM

    OT Hate Crime:
    "Two teenage girls boarded a MAX train in downtown heading to Northeast Portland early Friday evening when a man got on at a later stop and immediately launched into a racial tirade as soon as they caught his eye.

    "He was saying that Muslims should die," said Dyjuana Hudson, a mother of one of the girls. "That they've been killing Christians for years."

    Hudson recounted what her daughter, Destinee, told her hours after police tracked down the man as he ran from the rush-hour train into the Hollywood neighborhood. Other passengers chased him from a distance and called 911.

    The suspect left a gruesome scene on the Green Line train. He lashed out at three men who had tried to calm him down, fatally stabbing two of them and sending the other to the hospital with stab wounds, police said. The third man is expected to survive.

    The rampage at the start of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, brought an immediate outcry from religious and civic leaders in Portland and across the country.

    Destinee Hudson, 16, is black, and her friend, 17, who was wearing a hijab, is Muslim, the mother said.

    The girls distanced themselves from the man after he got on the train at Lloyd Center, Hudson said. But he pressed on, approaching them as he kept screaming""There were a lot of people on the MAX and these three spoke up," she said. "Anything I can do to support their families, I'm there."

    She couldn't believe such a blatant act of racism was possible.

    "As a mother, I've experienced it in the past but I can't imagine my kids going through this," she said. "It's shocking."

    http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2017/05/man_saw_teenagers_one_with_hij.html#incart_big-photo

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous11:56 AM

      Perpetrator Jeremy Christian (some last name eh?) has already been in prison and now will return to live out his life there. His Facebook account is public for all to see, and people rightfully leaving messages that he may never see.

      Is THIS the "America, love it or get the hell out" that you purport, uber x-tian $arah Palin?

      Delete
  13. Anonymous11:35 AM

    Well isn’t that special; once Tillerson was in place, they didn’t need a secret channel, is it because of Tillerson’s ties to russia? They wanted to do this BEFORE donnie was even in office, to undermine the current administration?

    As for the documents relating to the campaign, wanna bet they disappeared or never kept any.

    They need to block Jared’s and Ivanka’s security clearance pronto !!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous11:44 AM

    And the corruption just keeps on coming
    ===============================

    Mar-a-Lago manager apparently has second job—working for the Trump White House?

    Donald Trump's team continues to openly mock all attempts at getting them to not be crooked.

    Heather Rinkus, the guest reception manager at Trump's "Winter White House," is working with the president's advance and logistics team, while Trump's exclusive club, Mar-a-Lago, closes for the summer. She has an official White House email and government-issued phone, two sources familiar with Rinkus’ trip told BuzzFeed News......

    ....Oh, and by the way her husband is a convicted felon who's been bragging to companies that he has access to Trump via his wife—but when it comes to the kind of people Trump has surrounded himself with, that part almost goes without saying.

    www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/5/25/1665743/-Mar-a-Lago-manager-apparently-has-second-job-working-for-the-Trump-White-House

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous3:16 PM

    They must be shitting themselves.... this is all about access to russian money....impossible with the sanctions in place. Bunch of people going to jail.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous8:21 PM

      Montel Jordan - This Is How We Do It

      Go get em! All of em!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:13 PM

      http://www.rawstory.com/2017/05/game-changer-msnbc-panelists-explain-magnitude-of-devastating-kushner-revelations/

      "Erik Prince also features in this bizarre scandal. As does Mike Flynn,"

      Delete
  16. Anonymous4:20 PM


    Malcolm Nance Says FBI Should Assume Kushner Was Planning To Share ‘Nuclear Codes’ With Putin

    "What did he intend to transmit through Russia's secure cryptographic systems to communicate with Vladimir Putin? The presidential daily briefing? The nuclear codes?"


    http://www.politicususa.com/2017/05/27/malcolm-nance-fbi-assume-kushner-planning-share-nuclear-codes-putin.html

    ReplyDelete

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