Love this! It would have been even more awesome if the dots were clickable links to stories on each of the topics. Great work, NYT. Glad to be subscribers from Columbus, OH!
1
"Criticizing Federal Judges" as abnormal -- was it similarly abnormal for Obama to criticize the Supreme Court Justices in his first inaugural address?
Abnormal for Trump to call Erdogan ? -- this is an opening gambit.
Abnormal for Trump to call Erdogan ? -- this is an opening gambit.
President Obama Criticized the passage of Citizens United. Which by the way is very different then trump criticizing a Mexican judge in the Trump "University" ruling. Additionally, trump blew up his on EO when he stated that the Muslim ban was based on religion which was a direct violation of US immigration laws. criticizing a Judge for following the law, shows trumps complete and utter incompetence and stupidity. In short yes it was abnormal. Trump called Erdogan on behalf of the developer who was then promptly arrested. by Turkish officials. He called because the developer was building the hotel that trump would plaster his name on, yes once again a clear violation of the emoluments clause and abnormal.
4
Your comment, which is actually a question, intent on overlooking the premis of the article is a non sequitor. Love your president, but love democracy more. Ideology means nothing if you don't have democracy.
Yeah, sure. The Gorsuch nomination was no where near out of the ordinary. It's been standard practice for the Senate to ignore the nomination of a President for a year to wait for the election so it can nominate someone else if the obstructionist party sometimes wins.
So after seeing this, I don't even bother with the rest of the article. What idiot doesn't know GOP-Trump has delivered the country into a neo-fascist reality? Nobody needs some political science mediocrities to tell them that.
I have so little respect for the NYT at this point. Hires climate deniers. Beats the wars drums for war. Missed Great Recession. Two years of Presidential election coverage and the best it could do was be dragged around by the nose by the American right, dismissing anything to the left of neo-liberal garbage. Can't be bothered to cover health care Congressional actions. On Trump-GOP-Russia, gets scooped on twitter by 6 months; barely catching up to Dec. of Jan. as we speak.
Look at the front page. Not even a mention of the contemptuous outrage being perpetrated by the secretive GOP Senate (and House) on the American public, 1/6 of the economy, tens of millions will lose health insurance, premiums will rise for all, less health care for more money in an already failed system. But the NYT can't be bothered.
You're a sick institution, NYT. I want to call you useless, but unfortunately that isn't true. You're as big a menace as the GOP. Do the world a favor and delete yourself.
So after seeing this, I don't even bother with the rest of the article. What idiot doesn't know GOP-Trump has delivered the country into a neo-fascist reality? Nobody needs some political science mediocrities to tell them that.
I have so little respect for the NYT at this point. Hires climate deniers. Beats the wars drums for war. Missed Great Recession. Two years of Presidential election coverage and the best it could do was be dragged around by the nose by the American right, dismissing anything to the left of neo-liberal garbage. Can't be bothered to cover health care Congressional actions. On Trump-GOP-Russia, gets scooped on twitter by 6 months; barely catching up to Dec. of Jan. as we speak.
Look at the front page. Not even a mention of the contemptuous outrage being perpetrated by the secretive GOP Senate (and House) on the American public, 1/6 of the economy, tens of millions will lose health insurance, premiums will rise for all, less health care for more money in an already failed system. But the NYT can't be bothered.
You're a sick institution, NYT. I want to call you useless, but unfortunately that isn't true. You're as big a menace as the GOP. Do the world a favor and delete yourself.
Wow, I really did not expect to see a comment like this—calling the NYT too right-wing... but anyway, there's a lot to address in this comment, but I'll just stick to the original issue you raised:
Was the Gorsuch nomination unusual? I agree that the ***events leading up to*** the Gorsuch nomination were abnormal, including not handling the president's nomination, but all the NYT was talking about here was Trump's nomination—not the events leading up to it. Thus, there's nothing abnormal that a new president would nominate a justice when the SCOTUS is missing one.
Was the Gorsuch nomination unusual? I agree that the ***events leading up to*** the Gorsuch nomination were abnormal, including not handling the president's nomination, but all the NYT was talking about here was Trump's nomination—not the events leading up to it. Thus, there's nothing abnormal that a new president would nominate a justice when the SCOTUS is missing one.
Someone, quick, please post the Obama version of this from anytime during the 8 years. What was normal, abnormal, important or unimportant about the many Obama actions and decisions? How can we have perspective without any background or point of reference? What does any of this mean without any historical context, especially recent administration(s)??? Sorry, NYT, this comes across as another biased hit piece. Good try, though.
2
I agree, Comey's firing was unusual. I think Trump is up to his ears in entanglement with the Russians. I point to Trumps refusal to release his tax documents, as one example. Trump has a history of bankruptcy and I am sure he's owned by many. It doesn't help that he is a vain, unprincipled liar who would use any means to stay in power. When will this stop? Personally, I am really tired of his geek show.
7
Could I suggest a similar chart (graded by the same people) on Obama's actions? The right has a false counter argument that Obama was just as bad, or did something similar. And I don't feel there is an equivalency. Most of Obama's actions would be the the Normal end of the scale.
16
Obama is not the president anymore. You can't use him to shield Trump. Also, he was never on the verge of impeachment.
2
Impeachment? What is the crime? (Sorry, not liking the guy doesn't apply.)
1
Interesting graph. Sadly, the GOP legislatures do nothing. After his disrespectful behaviors and comments at the NATO and G7 meetings, I believe that all of the Western Europe intelligence communities as well as MOSSAD and the Jordanian Intelligence will work to rid us of all of the treasonous trumps. Clearly the russians went to Jared, too.
5
Gorsuch was normal???? The Senate abdicating its duty for an entire year in order to stack the court with a conservative appointee? This was unconstitutional and an example of the enormous disfunction in the political system.
10
Trump had no involvement in the Senate's refusal to consider Garland, and this is an article about Trump. His only part in that drama was to nominate a reasonably well-qualified, ideologically aligned candidate as soon as he had the opportunity to do so - pretty normal stuff.
4
Trump did have a hand in Gorsuch getting confirmed when he publicly suggested McConnell to "go nuclear". Thus changing senate rules for an executive power grab. Now and forever the majority in the senate controls who gets confirmed. Gorsuch had the lowest vote ever for a supreme court justice. He is a joke because of that.
7
A few of these are drastically wrong, the "wrong way aircraft carrier" carried with it an intense insult to South Korean and a clear statement that American power was not dependable in the region, where we are the only power serving to counterbalance China.
7
How is Scott Pruitt as EPA Chief considered Normal? Nothing like that has ever happened!
9
Well, there was this guy, James Watts...Reagan's appointee to the Dept. of the Interior, who was the original anti-environmentalist. Infuriatingly bad, but probably not as bad as Pruitt might be at EPA.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_G._Watt
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_G._Watt
1
Seriously, just what can you expect, from him??? He is an aged( NOT grown-up, or mature) vulgar, spoiled BRAT. That is all he will ever be.
There is NO learning curve or improvement possible. PEROID.
There is NO learning curve or improvement possible. PEROID.
10
Perhaps ten thousand man-days of investigation later there is still NO evidence whatsoever that the Russians had anything to do with Hillary losing her election. Yet progressives of our time will go to their graves convinced that it was somehow ''stolen.''
It's not entirely about the election 'being stolen' to use your words, that concerns liberals. It's the concern that Russia - through hacking - is having an impact on elections. That should be of concern to all Americans not just liberals.
If Trump were more focused on being President for all Americans, had a basic grasp of how the US government was structured by the Founding Fathers and understood that the US is for the people, by the people and the people, he'd welcome an investigation into Russian interference.
He's the one who called for an investigation when he claimed he had been wiretapped. If he is really concerned about the country he leads he should stop making this about himself. He only has himself to blame with the drama around this issue. By protesting too much about it and constantly asserting he's innocent he's made it much worse and a much bigger deal.
He does have financial ties to Russia. But lying about it doesn't help him. Those are the issues that should matter not whether or not liberals are overreacting.
If Trump were more focused on being President for all Americans, had a basic grasp of how the US government was structured by the Founding Fathers and understood that the US is for the people, by the people and the people, he'd welcome an investigation into Russian interference.
He's the one who called for an investigation when he claimed he had been wiretapped. If he is really concerned about the country he leads he should stop making this about himself. He only has himself to blame with the drama around this issue. By protesting too much about it and constantly asserting he's innocent he's made it much worse and a much bigger deal.
He does have financial ties to Russia. But lying about it doesn't help him. Those are the issues that should matter not whether or not liberals are overreacting.
8
I do not care a whit that Hillary is not president. I care deeply that a lying, incompetent, grifter who is robbing the treasury blind and certainly has ties to Russia is sitting in the Oval Office. The Russians he entertained in that space are spies and that is not of concern to the GOP? Breathtaking!
9
What are you crying about exactly? This article isnt remotely related to your malformed argument.
By the way, there is plenty of evidence of Russian interference; with hacked dnc emails and voter registration logs, then micro targeting sway voters with anti Hillary propaganda via internet bots coming from IP addresses in eastern Europe. The severity of that act of cyber warfare remains unquantified and debatable, but the actions are well documented. It happened, Russia has also done this before and after 2016, and it is a threat to our democracy regardless of party. So Deal with it.
By the way, there is plenty of evidence of Russian interference; with hacked dnc emails and voter registration logs, then micro targeting sway voters with anti Hillary propaganda via internet bots coming from IP addresses in eastern Europe. The severity of that act of cyber warfare remains unquantified and debatable, but the actions are well documented. It happened, Russia has also done this before and after 2016, and it is a threat to our democracy regardless of party. So Deal with it.
7
Comey' firing is grist for the mill. We the majority of citizens believe the Comey firing was a coverup for Trump's connections to Russia, business-wise or worse. Even Trump's lawyer admits there are some. Where are Trump's tax returns? The American public wants to see them. We want to see them! We want Comey to testify. We want to know the truth about Trump. We want it Out there--all of it!!
12
According to Clapper former CIA director on Face the Nation today, Trump lied about what Clapper said at the investigation hearing and since I heard Clapper's testimony I know what he said. Clapper did NOT say there was no collusion between Trump and the Russians. The president lies and Is incapable of telling the truth.
Why should we Americans then believe anything he says?
Why should we Americans then believe anything he says?
12
Saturday Trump gave the commencement address at Liberty University and lied to 50,000 people when he said that only a minority of the populace disapprove of him. The truth is the opposite since only about 36% approve of Trump at all. He also inferred he was a Christian but good Christians don't publicly insult and label people with ugly names the way Trump does. What he said about Comey was unspeakable and his feigned Christianity at the commencement was nothing more than selfish self-pity---simple as that. He is a failed president inhumane.
10
Presumably, Mr. Rosenstein was asked by his boss, the AG, and his boss's boss, the President, to outline Director Comey's mistakes. Normal, so far. Mr. Rosenstein did so, concluding that, to lead the FBI effectively, a Director needed to acknowledge such mistakes and commit to not repeating them. For the President then to fire the Director, ostensibly on the strength of the AG's and DAG's recommendation? Not normal. The Director may have been willing to acknowledge his mistakes and commit to not repeating them (although, I think he was not out of line announcing the Bureau's recommendation on the Clinton email investigation, given the circumstances--the way he announced the recommendation was ridiculous though), and firing him without giving him a chance to do so was not normal. Also, not normal was the fact that all of this was just a phony pretext for the President's decision to replace the possibly 'disloyal' person leading the investigation of his campaign.
3
NOBODY expects the Spanish Inquisition! Our chief weapon is surprise...surprise and fear...fear and surprise....
5
You didn't expect a Spanish Inquisition? Really? After he sent the Armada to the Sea of Japan via Australia? lol
2
Not only was the Comey firing unusual, it was obstructionist and Trump should be impeached for this crime. If he were a democratic president it would have happened. But because he isn't the Republicans will cover up .In this way they are all complicit in any of his nefarious dealings including the Russia ones. Voting Republicans out of office is urgent if we want to have good government. Vote!
9
Rod Rosenstein was Comey’s direct superior. Rosenstein was confirmed April 25, and his memorandum titled “Restoring Public Confidence in the FBI” was appended to Trump’s firing letter exactly two weeks later.
In it, Rosenstein characterized Comey’s July 5 statement on the FBI’s investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s secret email system as “a textbook example of what federal prosecutors and agents are taught not to do.”
In support of that proposition, he cited comments from five former deputy attorneys general and four former attorneys general of both major political parties (including Eric Holder, who held both offices).
People get fired all the time. The only reason it gets a hundred stories in the coastal media is their gut-wrenching fear that this American President will become a magnificent employer who raises the middle class's incomes by 12% or more like Presidents Reagan and Bush 43.
Coming on the heels of Barack Obama's war on the American middle class, Trump's place among the top Presidents would be assured.
In it, Rosenstein characterized Comey’s July 5 statement on the FBI’s investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s secret email system as “a textbook example of what federal prosecutors and agents are taught not to do.”
In support of that proposition, he cited comments from five former deputy attorneys general and four former attorneys general of both major political parties (including Eric Holder, who held both offices).
People get fired all the time. The only reason it gets a hundred stories in the coastal media is their gut-wrenching fear that this American President will become a magnificent employer who raises the middle class's incomes by 12% or more like Presidents Reagan and Bush 43.
Coming on the heels of Barack Obama's war on the American middle class, Trump's place among the top Presidents would be assured.
3
Republicans have dominated the economic agenda since Nixon. Democrats have succeeded not by challenging but by co-opting Republican economic nonsense (no taxes, government is bad, wealth will trickle down, etc. ). Obama had to deal with the economic collapse inherited from his predecessor. Picture is worth a thousand words--especially if words spoken with forked tongue:
https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/13103858/CPS...
https://cdn.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/13103858/CPS...
1
Bush fixed that crash by the time he handed off the country to Obama. Oddly, Iraq itself was stable when handed off to Obama but he set it on fire anyway.
Democrats caused the mortgage meltdown in 2007-08 with the Community Reinvestment Act malfeasance.
Democrats caused the mortgage meltdown in 2007-08 with the Community Reinvestment Act malfeasance.
Some see the glass half empty; some see it half full; and some see a giant purple rabbit with wings.
2
But they are only a panel of experts and Trump is Trump who knows it all. He never needs experts to tell him-he knows!
3
If you gathered everyone in separate rooms who share what they know is "right," Trump would be in a small room accompanied by a small and rapidly diminishing number of people.
The only thing small about everyone else -- those who do not share his view that he's always right -- would be the number of rooms they would need to meet in.
BTW -
The Normal/Important diagram in the article ought to include Trump's day-one activities: Such as when he met with CIA agents at Langley -- seeking personal loyalty from the rank and file -- without regard for those in higher positions of responsibility and with whom he would more likely have to influence during the remainder of his term.
He demands loyalty but doesn't deliver it.
The only thing small about everyone else -- those who do not share his view that he's always right -- would be the number of rooms they would need to meet in.
BTW -
The Normal/Important diagram in the article ought to include Trump's day-one activities: Such as when he met with CIA agents at Langley -- seeking personal loyalty from the rank and file -- without regard for those in higher positions of responsibility and with whom he would more likely have to influence during the remainder of his term.
He demands loyalty but doesn't deliver it.
11
If Clinton had been elected President and she had fired Comey, how would you react? I can easily guess what the reaction would have been from Trump, his supporters, and many Republicans. But what about you?
2
If either Clinton or Trump had fired Comey at the start of their presidency, it would have been wholly expected and fairly noncontroversial. People on both sides of the aisle agree that Comey messed up in the email investigation and his communications surrounding it. If, right after entering office, either one had decided he needed to go, it would have hardly been this abnormal.
The issue here is that Trump left Comey in his job for months, and then fired him shortly after he asked to broaden the Russia investigation. Whether or not the Trump administration was actually only basing the firing on the email issue or not, it's awfully bad PR to fire someone who's investigating you. It reeks of a coverup. It's not so much the firing itself as the timing of it that makes this such a strange event.
The issue here is that Trump left Comey in his job for months, and then fired him shortly after he asked to broaden the Russia investigation. Whether or not the Trump administration was actually only basing the firing on the email issue or not, it's awfully bad PR to fire someone who's investigating you. It reeks of a coverup. It's not so much the firing itself as the timing of it that makes this such a strange event.
9
If we are speculating here, I would think the more interesting question would be how you would react had Clinton been in, surrounded by Russian support, and then SHE fired an FBI director?
10
I can assure you I would be just as furious if Hillary Clinton fired Comey while she was being investigated.
Without question.
Without question.
8
I found this graph interesting, both now for the Comey firing and when it appeared in the past.
One thing I have to keep reminding myself is that while the middle of the Important/Not-So-Important dimension means something like usual or typical importance, this is not the case for the Normal/Abnormal scale. There what is usual and typical is at the far left. Everything to the right is at least somewhat aberrant!
One thing I have to keep reminding myself is that while the middle of the Important/Not-So-Important dimension means something like usual or typical importance, this is not the case for the Normal/Abnormal scale. There what is usual and typical is at the far left. Everything to the right is at least somewhat aberrant!
3
There's always controversy. Some we can live with and have done so; some we can't.
In time the problems work themselves out. Not the best way of doing things, but that's the way it's often been.
The Comey firing is not something we can live with.
It's too important and too abnormal.
The Director of the FBI has a ten-year term to insulate that department from political influence. Trump doesn't seem to understand that distinction nor the separation of powers.
He acts as if the US government is his personal playground and that it imposes no rules or obligations that he must abide by.
Long ago, I served on a ship where William Crowe was an Officer. After graduating from the Naval Academy, he chose to pursue a PhD in Political Science. All bets were against him, yet he made Admiral, CNO, and US Ambassador to England while leading the way to greater Naval influence in Congressional appropriations. He wrote that his greatest lesson was to recognize that our system is intended to diffuse power, not concentrate it.
[That helps to preserve the voice and interests of all people. Creating jobs and looking out after people.]
We've lost sight of that.
Trump seems to act as if the US government is his personal playground and that it imposes no rules or obligation on him that he must abide by.
In time the problems work themselves out. Not the best way of doing things, but that's the way it's often been.
The Comey firing is not something we can live with.
It's too important and too abnormal.
The Director of the FBI has a ten-year term to insulate that department from political influence. Trump doesn't seem to understand that distinction nor the separation of powers.
He acts as if the US government is his personal playground and that it imposes no rules or obligations that he must abide by.
Long ago, I served on a ship where William Crowe was an Officer. After graduating from the Naval Academy, he chose to pursue a PhD in Political Science. All bets were against him, yet he made Admiral, CNO, and US Ambassador to England while leading the way to greater Naval influence in Congressional appropriations. He wrote that his greatest lesson was to recognize that our system is intended to diffuse power, not concentrate it.
[That helps to preserve the voice and interests of all people. Creating jobs and looking out after people.]
We've lost sight of that.
Trump seems to act as if the US government is his personal playground and that it imposes no rules or obligation on him that he must abide by.
8
In case you've forgotten, when he was asked which party he was running on - he declared it, "The party of Trump . . ." First time he told the truth, and nobody believed him.
10
So it is now "normal" to steal a Supreme Court seat and deny climate change? Not even close.
16
From a Republican? Pretty normal I'd say.
I don't think the Supreme Court nomination ranking covers the entire preceding circus by Senate Republicans and Merrill Garland, I think the point is just that nominating a fairly conservative Supreme Court justice is a fairly normal thing for a Republican president to do.
As to climate change, Republicans have been denying science for years. Appalling? Yes. Expected from a conservative president? Also, sadly, yes.
I don't think the Supreme Court nomination ranking covers the entire preceding circus by Senate Republicans and Merrill Garland, I think the point is just that nominating a fairly conservative Supreme Court justice is a fairly normal thing for a Republican president to do.
As to climate change, Republicans have been denying science for years. Appalling? Yes. Expected from a conservative president? Also, sadly, yes.
2
Simply put our democracy is being threatened not only by the White House but also by the republican ideologues who continue to obstruct justice. To name a few, Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, Aaron Burr. Then you have a small minority of republicans who sound outraged but fall well short of protecting democracy by not demanding for a special prosecutor. Lastly you have a brain washed percentage of republican voters who can't or won't come to terms with the fact that they have elected officials that are not representative of their financial and medical needs. There isn't one elected republican who has spoken truth to the illegitimate president. And it seems they lack the capacity because they are ideologically opposed to democracy.
13
You mean Richard Burr.
1
LOL!
As Trump digs a deeper hole, and his behaviors continue to belie any hope of innocence, more details that will convict him will emerge. More people will be willing to come forward, if only to save themselves. That said, Republican Congressmen and Senators probably won't, simply because they aren't that smart. That's not where the money is. My question, what will happen to them? Co-conspirators or just laughed at? How serious is their silence?
3
How are you supposed to read this table? Where is the freshold between normal and abnormal. Is everything on the left side normal, but some are more normal than others? So there are different degrees of normal?
This is a typical example of what Paul Krugman would call false equivalence. Wanting to appear even handed.
What I understand is that any action that is not to the very left is considered by some of the experts you questionned as ''abnormal''. And the more experts qualified the action as abnormal the farther to the right the dot. So Donald Trump has only taken one action in 110 days which is viewed as ''normal'' by a large majority of the experts you questionned: nominating Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.
What your chart would show if it was probably labelled is that virtually all of Trumps actions are viewed as somewhat to very abnormal.
This is a typical example of what Paul Krugman would call false equivalence. Wanting to appear even handed.
What I understand is that any action that is not to the very left is considered by some of the experts you questionned as ''abnormal''. And the more experts qualified the action as abnormal the farther to the right the dot. So Donald Trump has only taken one action in 110 days which is viewed as ''normal'' by a large majority of the experts you questionned: nominating Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.
What your chart would show if it was probably labelled is that virtually all of Trumps actions are viewed as somewhat to very abnormal.
1
Normal means what has happened in history. It has nothing to do with left and right, except that it represents what the people want. Hillary's winning the popular vote, and the republican's busywork of adjusting the voting maps to win the electoral college is not what Democracy is all about.
1
Written by Cicero, Roman statesman in 42BC
"A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious, but it cannot survive treason from within. The traitor appears not a traitor and speaks of accents familiar to its victims and he appeals to the baseness which lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of the nation. He works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the nation and infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to be feared.”
Trump and his administration along with uber wealthy like the Kochs who spent a billion dollars to get the GOP Russian wanna-be elected...treasonous.
"A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious, but it cannot survive treason from within. The traitor appears not a traitor and speaks of accents familiar to its victims and he appeals to the baseness which lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of the nation. He works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the nation and infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to be feared.”
Trump and his administration along with uber wealthy like the Kochs who spent a billion dollars to get the GOP Russian wanna-be elected...treasonous.
14
The list of traitors is long - they won't disappear or be dispatched for many years. Maybe their influence can be reduced if a few Cicero's can be found?
1
The three people investigating Trumps ties to Russia have all been fired.
Pahreet Baharra & all Deputy Attorneys General
Sally Yates
Jim Comey
See a pattern yet?
Pahreet Baharra & all Deputy Attorneys General
Sally Yates
Jim Comey
See a pattern yet?
17
Maybe because they're all crazy Democrats obsessed about Boris and Natasha rather than about actual substantive matters.
Dr --
Comey was a Republican until a couple of years ago, when he became an independent. Yates and Bahrara both prosecuted public officials of both parties in their distinguished careers.
Comey was a Republican until a couple of years ago, when he became an independent. Yates and Bahrara both prosecuted public officials of both parties in their distinguished careers.
4
He is also readying a list of judicial appointees to make the whole federal judiciary as right-wing as the supremes. That will be hostile take-over of the third branch of government. They have the top of it and much in between. They want to control the majority of it. Keep your eyes open.
2
What are the dots that don't have any text attached to them? Notice that there are none in the lower "unimportant" half, and most of them are in the "abnormal and important" quadrant. I am liberal and love the Times, but this comes off as though you are clearly trying to create an illusion that there are a great deal more "abnormal and important" events than there are. Please try to a) be responsible and respectable and b) not hand your opponents such obvious ammunition.
1
I'm guessing either there wasn't enough space on the graph to fit the text (I was wondering the same thing). There's none in the lower half because it's a lot less crowded. I'll bet that if you go to earlier versions of the graph, the text for those dots will be shown.
1
The first thing Trump did after firing Comey was to celebrate with the Russian ambassador and other Russian officials in the White House. He banned US reporters but let Russian reporters cover the event. So we see pictures of Trump guffawing with the Russians and shaking their hands in contrast to the chilly reception he gave Angela Merkel, our close German and NATO ally, when he wouldn't even shake her hand! Trump is a stooge of the Russians and the GOP and Trump supporters are apparently just fine with that! Our country is in deep trouble!
21
And he is so stupid he thought by banning our press from the meeting he didn't realize he was being played by the Russians who released the photos of all the chumminess and backslapping.
2
Why are there dots with no labels? Make the graph seem tilted more to the "abnormal" side.
1
I really like the way the information is displayed here. Chart is quite effective. Good job.
3
Thank you New York Times for this coverage with the input of authorities such as the scholars mentioned in the article.
Personally, I am afraid that "Justice" altogether in this country for the next 4 years minus 100 plus days, will be severely compromised.
The firing of an FBI Director, without giving him the opportunity to challenge or discuss the reasons for his termination with his superiors, is out of step with Federal US employment procedure.
While I agree that there is a basis for Mr. Comey's termination, I disagree with the thug like manner which President Trump issued his statement , to the public and Mr. Comey.
It seems that President Trump is compelled to sully every single thing he does with a twist back to himself, which focuses on HIS own preservation of HIS place in government, and nothing else.
Lastly, the BBC did an excellent job of showing past testimonies of Mr. Comey to Congress in YouTube videos. The most significant, in my opinion, is one video features Mr. Comey stating to the effect of
Russia will interfere with the 2018 elections, and the 2020 and beyond.
Russia hated Mrs. Clinton. They hate her.
The BBC brings it back home; the Russians are the serious problem to U.S. freedom and democracy, and they continue to be. Let's pray that the new Director of the FBI will investigate and report on the Russians.
Personally, I am afraid that "Justice" altogether in this country for the next 4 years minus 100 plus days, will be severely compromised.
The firing of an FBI Director, without giving him the opportunity to challenge or discuss the reasons for his termination with his superiors, is out of step with Federal US employment procedure.
While I agree that there is a basis for Mr. Comey's termination, I disagree with the thug like manner which President Trump issued his statement , to the public and Mr. Comey.
It seems that President Trump is compelled to sully every single thing he does with a twist back to himself, which focuses on HIS own preservation of HIS place in government, and nothing else.
Lastly, the BBC did an excellent job of showing past testimonies of Mr. Comey to Congress in YouTube videos. The most significant, in my opinion, is one video features Mr. Comey stating to the effect of
Russia will interfere with the 2018 elections, and the 2020 and beyond.
Russia hated Mrs. Clinton. They hate her.
The BBC brings it back home; the Russians are the serious problem to U.S. freedom and democracy, and they continue to be. Let's pray that the new Director of the FBI will investigate and report on the Russians.
4
I can't believe we actually need a chart to determine that these actions are abnormal and dangerous. What's even more abnormal and dangerous is the 247 members of Congress and 54 Senators who aren't all up in arms about this turn of events. THEY (and their counterparts) should be marching, engaging in protests and doing their utmost to save our republic rather than making excuses and offering tepid, self-serving sound bites on television.
Camus had it right when he wrote, “Those who lack the courage will always find a philosophy to justify it.”
Camus had it right when he wrote, “Those who lack the courage will always find a philosophy to justify it.”
7
Gorsuch not important ?
What kind of experts are these ?
What kind of experts are these ?
5
Look at it again. Gorsuch is very important, and his nomination (not the killing of the filibuster) is very normal. Meaning, business as usual. As much as I personally detest the fellow's views, his nomination was within bounds.
1
I disagree Pentelicon. Gorsuch appointment was very abnormal as he is in a stolen Obama appointment seat.
How are the WH visitor logs and the Mar-a-Lago trips not important? How do Americans know who is the WH meeting, dealing with, and so on, if there is no public record?
25
Your point is very insightful. The only way we learned that the Foreign Minister of Russia was in the White House on the day that Comey was fired is because a picture of him and Trump appeared in a Russian newspaper. Our own journalists are banned, the White House log is not made available to Americans, and Trump has surrounded himself with an unusually high number of military men. We need to consider if firing Comey was the first step. And, no, I don't think this is paranoid thinking given Trump's behavior and actions to date.
11
Thank you, Jamie.
At the end of 24 hours of absorbing it all, I am feeling pretty depressed. The right, Trump, his mafia cronies, Russia, the GOP congress, the DOJ, - along with their supporters, are literally trying to snuff out Democracy in the free world. Where does this end? Is this the end of our country as we know it? Will unlimited term limits be next? We went from being a country to be proud of to the biggest embarrassment on earth.
8
Since learning of Comey's firing, I have had in my head the image of Philippine poll workers stopping work and leaving their precincts after they realized that Marcos had illegally stolen the presidential election. The parallels are almost too close. We cannot allow ourselves to become inured to this undemocratic behavior. Write or call your Members of Congress and demand that an independent investigator/prosecutor be appointed to investigate the Russia connection between Trump's campaign/administration as well as Sessions' connection and his inserting himself into the investigation when he was supposed to be recused.
5
We know this is highly abnormal. The questions are 1) will Trump supporters recognize this as abnormal, or applaud Trump for shaking things up, and 2) what will our elected congressional representatives and Senators do about it.
Think 2018.
Vote.
Think 2018.
Vote.
9
And give $$$ and work for the Dems
2
Ten "experts"? There's nothing you can deduce from a sample size that small, especially when it's clear the Times' privileges diversity of opinion over the proportionate representation of those opinions among the broader intellectual community.
Comeygate is pretty black and white so the important/abnormal consensus is hardly surprising. In fact, I'd question the expertise of any "expert" who believed otherwise.
Comeygate is pretty black and white so the important/abnormal consensus is hardly surprising. In fact, I'd question the expertise of any "expert" who believed otherwise.
1
This is a qualitative study, not quantitative. A carefully selected panel of 10 would be adequate for a qualitative study.
1
The graphic shows that most of Trump's behaviors have been ABNORMAL.
And the greatest have been ABNORMAL + IMPORTANT (top-right quadrant).
We should be concerned that Trump mostly does abnormal things of concern!
And the greatest have been ABNORMAL + IMPORTANT (top-right quadrant).
We should be concerned that Trump mostly does abnormal things of concern!
5
He is not a legitimate president and he is proving it to all of us.
6
I have be a political observer for over 50 years and the firing is only the most recent matter involving Donald Trump I would consider abnormal for anyone but President Trump. The string of abnormalities in Trump extends back to his increasingly showing of signs of interest in national politics since he started his "birtherism" regarding President Obama. Then starts one abnormal thing after another. Running for the Republication, showed that Trump would do little not abnormal and he started seriously disrupting Republican politics.
Trump's slow started was slowly desensitizing. By the time he won the Republican nomination I was convinced that if he won he would not make it through his first year in office without doing serious harm to the nation and the Presidency. He has been trying to damage the Congress and the Federal Courts since his campaign for the Presidency begam. That we ask this question for ourselves or others show how abnormal it has all been.
Trump's slow started was slowly desensitizing. By the time he won the Republican nomination I was convinced that if he won he would not make it through his first year in office without doing serious harm to the nation and the Presidency. He has been trying to damage the Congress and the Federal Courts since his campaign for the Presidency begam. That we ask this question for ourselves or others show how abnormal it has all been.
8
I do not think it would have changed the results of the election, but Obama should have fired Comey. However, if this firing at this moment makes Donald Nixon Trump a focus of further investigation, that would be a good thing. He is a danger to the system of checks and balances. Both parties need to be alarmed by that danger.
19
LSamson--If Republicans are not "alarmed" by climate change, this won't alarm them, unless they realize that it could cause them to lose their jobs.
13
"Profiles in Cowardice."
The Russian problem isn't going to go away and the longer that it hangs on the more damage it does in preventing the country from addressing any number of critical issues. It is time for Congress and anybody who cares about the country to demand that Trump produce his tax returns. If there is nothing there then we can get on with the normal business of the country, and if there is something there the faster we deal with it the better off we will be. We need to have full disclosure.We need to see the tax returns, now.
47
W.A. Spitzer--A subpoena would do nicely. Also, a the state of New York could get those tax returns.
16
The tax returns are important but far from the whole story. We need to know everything about who and when and why his cronies were in contact with the Russians - even Sessions who is a suspect as the rest.
1
Oh, yes. Let's hear from more "experts". Let's keep the news cycle going while The Con Don and the Top 1% Global Financial Elite International Mafia Robber Baron Radical Religion Good Old Boys Party try to take over and destroy OUR government and governments around the world.
Oh, yes. Let's all be "civil" and "converse" at the most dangerous time in America since the Civil War. Let's talk about their plans to start WW3. Let's all stick our heads in the sand and wring our hands.
OR - Let's shout our hearts out, hit the streets and STOP THIS HOSTILE TAKEOVER OF AMERICA. In Washington D.C. In every state, county, city and berg government office and candidate office/ home.
WE MUST NOT LET THIS STAND IN AMERICA.
Not now. Not ever.
Our lives and those of our children and grandchildren depend on it.
Oh, yes. Let's all be "civil" and "converse" at the most dangerous time in America since the Civil War. Let's talk about their plans to start WW3. Let's all stick our heads in the sand and wring our hands.
OR - Let's shout our hearts out, hit the streets and STOP THIS HOSTILE TAKEOVER OF AMERICA. In Washington D.C. In every state, county, city and berg government office and candidate office/ home.
WE MUST NOT LET THIS STAND IN AMERICA.
Not now. Not ever.
Our lives and those of our children and grandchildren depend on it.
68
Mr. Trump's days as President are numbered. His actions cannot stand. I agree that it is vital to our children and grandchildren and to all people who aspire to be free and remain free. Russia's actions and Trump colluders, have to be stopped and punished where violations of law have happened. Many other things have to be sorted out in different ways. His various supporters and detractors will have to heal in different ways.
We are in line for a national Truth and Reconciliation Commission to do it properly and effectively.
We are in line for a national Truth and Reconciliation Commission to do it properly and effectively.
21
So, have you been out in the streets?!
Would you please link to your tweets and website showing when your next demonstration will be so that we can join you?!
Not sure what you are complaining about, anyway! This article does the opposite of what you're claiming. These experts are highlighting the abnormality and importance of what Trump has done. That is a major service to readers-- especially skeptical ones and Trump supporters that this is no big deal.
The Russian connection as well as the Robber Baron policies are both being covered. It's not either-or!
Would you please link to your tweets and website showing when your next demonstration will be so that we can join you?!
Not sure what you are complaining about, anyway! This article does the opposite of what you're claiming. These experts are highlighting the abnormality and importance of what Trump has done. That is a major service to readers-- especially skeptical ones and Trump supporters that this is no big deal.
The Russian connection as well as the Robber Baron policies are both being covered. It's not either-or!
3
Yes, yes, yes. That commission needs to include everything related to slavery and its aftermath. That war never ended and the festering wound both stinks and eats away at our policial and civic life.
In the history of any presidential office, has there ever been so many of the presidential team, to include the president himself, involved with Russia?.....ever?
In the history of the presidential office, has any other nation, as the Russians have, ever been identified as undermining our nations elections?....ever?
In the history of any presidential office, has both of the above ever happened simultaneously?....ever?
At the same time, has the methods used by the Russians to interfere with the US elections, was there any other time when any nation, as Russia did, also attacked the Ukraine's, Europe's Britain’s and France’s election process?....ever?
In the history of the presidential office, has any other nation, as the Russians have, ever been identified as undermining our nations elections?....ever?
In the history of any presidential office, has both of the above ever happened simultaneously?....ever?
At the same time, has the methods used by the Russians to interfere with the US elections, was there any other time when any nation, as Russia did, also attacked the Ukraine's, Europe's Britain’s and France’s election process?....ever?
36
Sorry to say, but we have influenced elections around the world. This is payback at the least.
Putin's influence on Trump
The Great Purge was a campaign of political repression in the Soviet Union which occurred from 1936 to 1938.It involved a large-scale purge of government officials, repression of peasants and the Red Army leadership, and widespread police surveillance, suspicion of "saboteurs", imprisonment, and arbitrary executions.
The Great Purge was a campaign of political repression in the Soviet Union which occurred from 1936 to 1938.It involved a large-scale purge of government officials, repression of peasants and the Red Army leadership, and widespread police surveillance, suspicion of "saboteurs", imprisonment, and arbitrary executions.
18
Something does not smell quite right. When only 3 GOP senators call for an independent investigation, it is a warning sign for the American republic. Do we have to wait until the 2018 midterm elections before the tide will turn?
Trump's base is fired up by the "strongman" actions and remain emotionally connected to the President (fueled by reassurances from talk radio). I hope more independent voters are beginning to open their eyes to the madness!
Trump's base is fired up by the "strongman" actions and remain emotionally connected to the President (fueled by reassurances from talk radio). I hope more independent voters are beginning to open their eyes to the madness!
91
Your comment is apt. Where are the other Republicans speaking out against Trump's actions? Write or call your Members of Congress, especially if they are Republicans in vulnerable seats for the 2018 re-elections.
34
The bottom line: Trump wants to stop this investigation. He is afraid, very afraid. And the American people should also be very afraid.
77
Try as I may one key behavior in DC has me baffled: Trump's actions seem for many GOP Representatives and Senators to be more than tolerable, and Democrat objections dismissed.
Yet.
Yet pragmatists will quickly recognize that no recent Democrat, even Hillary Clinton as attacked as she was, exhibited behavior even remotely approaching the legally, morally, and constitutionally questionable behavior of Trump, and if they had the same placid GOP we see now would have been apoplectic with rage.
When I hear cries from the GOP for bipartisan cooperation I'm inclined to note that what goes around, comes around. The time will come very soon when Democrats will control the capitol again. The GOP has created a template for future Democrat responsibility to act and I think the GOP will regret it.
Yet.
Yet pragmatists will quickly recognize that no recent Democrat, even Hillary Clinton as attacked as she was, exhibited behavior even remotely approaching the legally, morally, and constitutionally questionable behavior of Trump, and if they had the same placid GOP we see now would have been apoplectic with rage.
When I hear cries from the GOP for bipartisan cooperation I'm inclined to note that what goes around, comes around. The time will come very soon when Democrats will control the capitol again. The GOP has created a template for future Democrat responsibility to act and I think the GOP will regret it.
84
Perfectly said in the article:
“When the President interferes with an investigation involving his own behavior, it puts at risk checks and balances vital to the health of U.S. democracy.” -- Timur Kuran, professor, political science, Duke
Can a Trump supporter out there *refute* that Trump interfered with the investigation? Or that it puts our democracy at risk?
If so, I would love to read it--seriously! All I have read and heard is lies, dissembling, and babble.
Otherwise, let the impeachment begin.
“When the President interferes with an investigation involving his own behavior, it puts at risk checks and balances vital to the health of U.S. democracy.” -- Timur Kuran, professor, political science, Duke
Can a Trump supporter out there *refute* that Trump interfered with the investigation? Or that it puts our democracy at risk?
If so, I would love to read it--seriously! All I have read and heard is lies, dissembling, and babble.
Otherwise, let the impeachment begin.
72
Can a Republican or Trump supporter refute that Trump has interfered with the investigation into his own actions? Yes, if they put party before country, which seems to be what the majority of congressional Republicans are doing. Our task is to change the balance of power in 2018. If Trump is still president at that time, no doubt he will continue to give Democrats plenty of ammunition for our campaigns.
5
Rest assured, Trump supporters are being told that this is normal, and "liberals" are just hyperventilating because Hillary lost the election.
I suggest we all do two things to counter this narrative: First, stop with the Hillary mourning. It feeds the trope. Second, stop trashing Trump voters. We may disagree with whatever motivated them to vote for him, but the person he was presenting is certainly not the person he is showing himself to be. He lied, "bigly". We all know that, but we have the advantage of not living in the everyday world of red staters who rise and go to bed with hate radio (try finding a classical station or NPR driving through those states) and Fox propaganda. Even their public schools are deeply challenged in terms of truth about history and certain elements of science - like earth sciences and evolutionary biology. Let's not fuel the hate.
It is time to band together, to realize that the differences that divide us are small in comparison to all that unites us. They are as much a part of our democracy as minorities, LGBTQ, transgenders, and undocumented immigrants whom we defend unquestioningly. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. When talking with Trump supporters, try to listen and understand, not just dismiss with a knee jerk reaction. Besides, nothing will scare the GOP more. It is the last thing they want.
I suggest we all do two things to counter this narrative: First, stop with the Hillary mourning. It feeds the trope. Second, stop trashing Trump voters. We may disagree with whatever motivated them to vote for him, but the person he was presenting is certainly not the person he is showing himself to be. He lied, "bigly". We all know that, but we have the advantage of not living in the everyday world of red staters who rise and go to bed with hate radio (try finding a classical station or NPR driving through those states) and Fox propaganda. Even their public schools are deeply challenged in terms of truth about history and certain elements of science - like earth sciences and evolutionary biology. Let's not fuel the hate.
It is time to band together, to realize that the differences that divide us are small in comparison to all that unites us. They are as much a part of our democracy as minorities, LGBTQ, transgenders, and undocumented immigrants whom we defend unquestioningly. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. When talking with Trump supporters, try to listen and understand, not just dismiss with a knee jerk reaction. Besides, nothing will scare the GOP more. It is the last thing they want.
How about all those other point in the "abnormal and important" quadrant?
I suggest the NYTimes redo this as an interactive graphic with labels or popups for ALL the datapoints. If these are truly important, why didn't the NYTimes identify them, at the very least? I hate to think of the NYTimes as doing less than the very least.
I suggest the NYTimes redo this as an interactive graphic with labels or popups for ALL the datapoints. If these are truly important, why didn't the NYTimes identify them, at the very least? I hate to think of the NYTimes as doing less than the very least.
30
I agree and would add that the graph axes be relabeled and repositioned, too!
It should be treated more like a crosstabs than an x-y axis.
As now done, it is hard to read! You can tell that the graphers realized that by having to embed descriptors in each quadrant!
The outside of the graph should be labeled like this:
NORMAL ABNORMAL
IMPORTANT
NOT IMPORTANT
It should be treated more like a crosstabs than an x-y axis.
As now done, it is hard to read! You can tell that the graphers realized that by having to embed descriptors in each quadrant!
The outside of the graph should be labeled like this:
NORMAL ABNORMAL
IMPORTANT
NOT IMPORTANT
1
Those still firmly supporting Trump will be found to be complicit with Russia, in some respect, eventually. Don't forget that campaign funding is opaque and Russian (and other unsavory sources) monies could easily flow to the RNC as well as to the Trump campaign.
Who else could be implicated? Preibus, Ryan, McConnel, Blunt, Cruz, Rubio--anyone that collected money from either source.
Who else could be implicated? Preibus, Ryan, McConnel, Blunt, Cruz, Rubio--anyone that collected money from either source.
27
Pence.
5
The Even more Important and Abnormal occurrence of yesterday was the arrest of a reporter in West Virginia, as he tried to ask questions of HHS Secretary Tom Price, about the AHCA.
Our democratic experiment is in greater peril, Every day.
86
We should keep in mind that what so often trips criminals up is not just their original crime but, rather, their attempts to cover up the evidence of their guilt.
Trump is now, with Comey's firing, a classic example of a politician who has further endangered himself by using his powers with the aim of extinguishing an FBI investigation that sought to establish his innocence or culpability.
Once a criminal uses such a tactics, he may look down at his feet to discover that there is nothing left of the original investigation but the smoldering remains of the fire that's been threatening to burn him.
But when he hears crackling behind him, he turns around to view, with horror, a new and far larger conflagration engulfing the forest behind him.
May it be so with Trump. I am convinced that it can be so if Democrats apply unrelenting pressure to insure that this unworthy president is brought to justice. Only if the Democrats succeed can democracy once again flourish in these United States, so severe is the present threat to our way of life.
Trump is now, with Comey's firing, a classic example of a politician who has further endangered himself by using his powers with the aim of extinguishing an FBI investigation that sought to establish his innocence or culpability.
Once a criminal uses such a tactics, he may look down at his feet to discover that there is nothing left of the original investigation but the smoldering remains of the fire that's been threatening to burn him.
But when he hears crackling behind him, he turns around to view, with horror, a new and far larger conflagration engulfing the forest behind him.
May it be so with Trump. I am convinced that it can be so if Democrats apply unrelenting pressure to insure that this unworthy president is brought to justice. Only if the Democrats succeed can democracy once again flourish in these United States, so severe is the present threat to our way of life.
47
The lack of moral fiber among the GOP is awesome. If there's no smoking gun there's no reason not to have a special investigation. If there is one, it's of paramount importance that it be found. I am flabbergasted that any reasoning, intelligent person could believe there's no reason to look deeply into the matter. The only positive take-away from all this is that the GOP is going to lose all its power in the near term.
76
The 2018 election will be very interesting.
Goodbye Republicans -- your party has reached its end!!!!!
Goodbye Republicans -- your party has reached its end!!!!!
4
That prediction was made before the last election.
1
To me what is so extraordinary or abnormal about the firing of Comey is not the firing by itself, but the stated rationale. Comey was fired for stepping out of bounds with his press conference last summer, and the Oct 28, 2016 letter to Congress. When you read Rosenstein’s recommendation letter to Sessions about terminating Comey it would have made more sense if Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates had written the letter to Attorney General Lynch.
Comey gave Trump a gift during the campaign, so why fire him? I think most of us know the reason. RUSSIA!
Comey gave Trump a gift during the campaign, so why fire him? I think most of us know the reason. RUSSIA!
58
Trump will survive his firing of Comey, because the Republicans, who control both houses, still support him. Nevertheless, his poll numbers will drop, and his legislative program has been set back until the fall. By that time, attention will turn to the mid-term elections, and the program will be further stalled.
Despite Republican control of all three branches of the federal government, Trump will turn out to be a weak president.
Despite Republican control of all three branches of the federal government, Trump will turn out to be a weak president.
52
Basically agree, Diogenes....although Trump is a ego maniac, incompetent demagogue, he is still being supported by most of his party.
He will most likely damage this country as history has taught us from the first demagogue Alcibedes in classic Greece to the latest ones Chazez/Madura in Venz.
The unknown is timing. It could come rather soon but it can also last for yrs until we do something about the damage.
He will most likely damage this country as history has taught us from the first demagogue Alcibedes in classic Greece to the latest ones Chazez/Madura in Venz.
The unknown is timing. It could come rather soon but it can also last for yrs until we do something about the damage.
20
I think that's highly unlikely. This scandal will eventually involve the RNC and leadership as well, due to the opaque nature of campaign funding. Ryan and McConnell aren't standing behind Trump because they *want to*. They're standing by Trump because they *have to*.
Just wait until the leaks start and names start being dropped. Names like Pence, Blunt, Rand Paul.....
Just wait until the leaks start and names start being dropped. Names like Pence, Blunt, Rand Paul.....
39
Diogenes, good points, but as more material comes out, things will change.
When someone in the FBI leaks key documents to Washington Post reporters and someone at the IRS leaks Trump's tax returns, the call for impeachment and conviction will spread like a prairie grass fire.
More Republicans will jump off the sinking ship. And, why not?! They can look like the good guys and put their right-wing, tax-cutting, anti-government Fundamentalist Pence in as prez.
When someone in the FBI leaks key documents to Washington Post reporters and someone at the IRS leaks Trump's tax returns, the call for impeachment and conviction will spread like a prairie grass fire.
More Republicans will jump off the sinking ship. And, why not?! They can look like the good guys and put their right-wing, tax-cutting, anti-government Fundamentalist Pence in as prez.
3