Oh lost days of halcyon youth, for geezer-boomers, and wannabes
This is not Watergate, nor any other gate except trump dementia gate
As your side spins its wheels, Mr Trump is running the country and creating alliances to advance our interests
So go putter and potter and patter and pitter
Your side does not need Maximum John (Sirica. , it needs Joe McCarthy, maybe we can close him from leftover DNA material in his archives, and maybe some people from Puritan Salem to help find witches, or invent some
and John Birch, and maybe Winston Smith to tidy up the archives
Oh what ever happened to Lincoln Steffens, who went to Stalin-land, and offered that he saw the future and it worked?
Or NYT's own Walter Duranty, Pulitzer writer, and Stalin-ophile
=
And if we go back far enough to Watergate, maybe we can remember Ms Clinton's investigatory role there, I think she was asked to leave for excessive zeal or some such
=
can we bring back Mods and Rockers also, if we want a time machine and black and white telly
This is not Watergate, nor any other gate except trump dementia gate
As your side spins its wheels, Mr Trump is running the country and creating alliances to advance our interests
So go putter and potter and patter and pitter
Your side does not need Maximum John (Sirica. , it needs Joe McCarthy, maybe we can close him from leftover DNA material in his archives, and maybe some people from Puritan Salem to help find witches, or invent some
and John Birch, and maybe Winston Smith to tidy up the archives
Oh what ever happened to Lincoln Steffens, who went to Stalin-land, and offered that he saw the future and it worked?
Or NYT's own Walter Duranty, Pulitzer writer, and Stalin-ophile
=
And if we go back far enough to Watergate, maybe we can remember Ms Clinton's investigatory role there, I think she was asked to leave for excessive zeal or some such
=
can we bring back Mods and Rockers also, if we want a time machine and black and white telly
Great piece. Howard Baker was a partisan Republican? Today he's held up a virtuous figure of the famous, "bipartisanship." How interesting.
11
Let's not forget, first and foremost, the role of the press. One of Mr. Trump's worst offences is the lie that everything he doesn't like is "fake news." A free press, under the 1st Amendment, is one of the greatest protections we have, as Americans, against a dictatorship.
22
The idea that Putin would need Trump’s help in carrying out cyberattacks and or a disinformation campaign is absurd.
Assuming Putin did it, it was not a disinformation campaign.
It was an information campaign, reporting on DNC emails trashing Sanders.
Assuming Putin did it, it was not a disinformation campaign.
It was an information campaign, reporting on DNC emails trashing Sanders.
3
I welcome columns that press forward solutions. Watergate, Watergate, Watergate—so and forever what? Except history’s lesson on how to dethrone a tyrant! I don’t care.
Checks & balances, cooperation, all all the other stuff & nonsense we’ve been lied to about for so long are gone. What’s “real,” too, is gone: McMaster, a disaster; Mueller, a Trojan Horse, not Mr. Ed; our flag, little more than an NFL logo. AND, Jeff Sessions IS our Attorney General. We need help.
Thankfully, the avatars of all our favorite lies about ourself—our Founding Fathers and Mothers Just Like Them—are not here to help us. Perhaps, this time, “We” can get it right.
The first step is to admit to having some very serious shortcomings. Let us not aspire to a past that never was; but for the First Time in our history, look clear-eyed to a Cooperative future that lives up to all our past prating about freedom, democracy, and human rights.
To Hades with our virtues! they’re not what’s dragging us down right now. We’re broken! We’re sliding down and moving backward! We’re stumbling over our past. When our eyes finally open, the lid will be closed.
Checks & balances, cooperation, all all the other stuff & nonsense we’ve been lied to about for so long are gone. What’s “real,” too, is gone: McMaster, a disaster; Mueller, a Trojan Horse, not Mr. Ed; our flag, little more than an NFL logo. AND, Jeff Sessions IS our Attorney General. We need help.
Thankfully, the avatars of all our favorite lies about ourself—our Founding Fathers and Mothers Just Like Them—are not here to help us. Perhaps, this time, “We” can get it right.
The first step is to admit to having some very serious shortcomings. Let us not aspire to a past that never was; but for the First Time in our history, look clear-eyed to a Cooperative future that lives up to all our past prating about freedom, democracy, and human rights.
To Hades with our virtues! they’re not what’s dragging us down right now. We’re broken! We’re sliding down and moving backward! We’re stumbling over our past. When our eyes finally open, the lid will be closed.
3
Mr. Trump can't outsmart these FBI guys. He thought he could play Mr. Rosenstein, use him to fire Mr. Comey then discard him.
But Rosenstein came back with a big power play by appointing a special counsel. Trump only found out less than a half hour before it was announced.
The message is this president doesn't possess absolute power. Nor does his inner circle.
He might even have to turn over tax returns as this investigation deepens.
Let's not forget Trump knew Mike Flynn was under investigation for Russian ties & being a foreign agent--- but still appointed him to national security adviser with access to confidential intelligence matters. That hurts Trump in terms of his decision-making and the "why" of it all.
On this foreign trip, Trump lacks stamina & cancelled a speaking event to 400 people just an hour ago. Earlier, he was reading teleprompter in a monotone and repeating words. No standing ovation for what was called an amateurish terror speech. Supposedly there were five drafts of that poorly delivered speech. He had that odd sound to his voice like he did in the debate with Hillary Clinton that people commented on and wondered about.
But Rosenstein came back with a big power play by appointing a special counsel. Trump only found out less than a half hour before it was announced.
The message is this president doesn't possess absolute power. Nor does his inner circle.
He might even have to turn over tax returns as this investigation deepens.
Let's not forget Trump knew Mike Flynn was under investigation for Russian ties & being a foreign agent--- but still appointed him to national security adviser with access to confidential intelligence matters. That hurts Trump in terms of his decision-making and the "why" of it all.
On this foreign trip, Trump lacks stamina & cancelled a speaking event to 400 people just an hour ago. Earlier, he was reading teleprompter in a monotone and repeating words. No standing ovation for what was called an amateurish terror speech. Supposedly there were five drafts of that poorly delivered speech. He had that odd sound to his voice like he did in the debate with Hillary Clinton that people commented on and wondered about.
12
Follow the money (or maybe more importantly the debt).
10
If someone wants to know about Watergate they can learn for themselves. If they don't know enough about the subject I suggest starting with Congressional hearing transcripts, FBI documents and the recordings. Don't let the NYT or any other paper "frame" what you should know about that scandal.
I was a child, but I actually watched ( some) of the hearings on TV. My impression, bolstered by later reading, was, and is, that the GOP then was a different class entirely than today. Today, it's ALL about self-promotion, raising your " profile, and raising money for reelection. Patriotism, ethics and serving your constituents, not to mention the Country, are way down on the priority list. Where have the actual leaders, let alone heroes, gone?? Obviously, none are required, or even wanted. Toe the Party line, and do as your masters pay you to do. Really sad, but inescapable.
7
An excellent article and remember the terms of "special prosecutor" or "special counsel" or - after 1983 - called "independent counsels" are intermixed and pretty much the same - albeit a little confusing in much dialog and articles. The vital aspect of law & legislative power vs jurisdiction & control by the Attorney General (& Dept of Justice) has to do with the "Ethics in Govt Act", which Congress passed in 1978, reauthorized in 1982 & 1987, expired in 1992, reinstated in 1994, and expired in 1999 ... i.e. the Independent Counsel LAW under the purview of the "Ethics in Govt Act" had more power, latitude of the Counsel and limited constraints on him/her versus the Special Counsel REGULATIONS promulgated after 1999 by the Justice Dept - reporting to the Attorney General. In other words, if you review post 1999 aspects, Constitutional aspects, etc - the procedure of the appointed Counsel (former FBI'er Mueller) to submit a final report to the Justice / Atty Gen, and the apparent latitude of Justice / Atty Gen to hire & fire, etc ... is a troublesome aspect to this whole matter, and I wonder if effective investigation & relevant follow-up will ensue. Also, what's left unsaid & leaves one to ponder ... can't Congress simply renew the Ethics in Govt Act as they did in the past. In any event, it’s essential that Congress follow-up on its rights and privilege to conduct investigations.
2
I remember well the Watergate crime and attempted cover up. I also remember that Republicans in the house were foot dragging and it took the testaments by Nixon's secretary and the whistle blowing of John Dean and Deep throat eventually break open the case. The willingness of John Dean to incriminate himself makes him a hero in my mind.
12
Thank you for this insightful piece.
Among the many differences between 'then and now' is the existence and exponential nature of e-mail and social networking. (imagine Tricky Dick with a twitter account ....)
Watergate seems quant, manageable, and less volatile in comparison to Russiagate.
I hope that, regardless of the outcome and conclusions of this much needed investigation, the truth and facts are laid put in a crystal clear fashion, and shown to be to be exactly and just that - truth and facts.
The Bannonesque alt-right propaganda machine (have to wonder how much of it is staffed by Russian trolls) fills the net with cockamamie conspiracy theories about the "deep state." Like many things on the net, regardless of substantiated facts, regardless of truth, it spreads like a stain.
This investigation is a good opportunity to use some well needed, fact-based disinfectant to show tAmerican what a real 'report; looks like.
It can be a stark and sobering comparison to the junk-food, baseless 'alt-facts' that hide behind the moniker of certain "news".
Among the many differences between 'then and now' is the existence and exponential nature of e-mail and social networking. (imagine Tricky Dick with a twitter account ....)
Watergate seems quant, manageable, and less volatile in comparison to Russiagate.
I hope that, regardless of the outcome and conclusions of this much needed investigation, the truth and facts are laid put in a crystal clear fashion, and shown to be to be exactly and just that - truth and facts.
The Bannonesque alt-right propaganda machine (have to wonder how much of it is staffed by Russian trolls) fills the net with cockamamie conspiracy theories about the "deep state." Like many things on the net, regardless of substantiated facts, regardless of truth, it spreads like a stain.
This investigation is a good opportunity to use some well needed, fact-based disinfectant to show tAmerican what a real 'report; looks like.
It can be a stark and sobering comparison to the junk-food, baseless 'alt-facts' that hide behind the moniker of certain "news".
19
From the special prosecutor viewpoint, Watergate was more manageable because there was a crime to cover up. Five operatives paid by the Nixon reelection campaign were caught red-handed breaking into Democratic National Committee Headquarters. At trial, they implicated ranking members of the White House staff. The current special prosecutor has to discover a crime to prosecute. He can't indict anyone for possibly colluding. He has to come up with actual evidence a crime was committed.
4
Trump's loyal supporters don't see his criminal obstruction of justice as a negative, just a positive measure of his proud, go-it-alone gumption, something they're proud of.
remember, these are the voters who cheer as Trump moves to take away their healthcare, makes sure they can never earn as much as it costs to live, undercuts the educational possibilities of their kids, tries to poison their air and water as fast as possible, helps to arm madmen with guns...
sure, what's not to like? HE'S NOT THAT EVIL WITCH, HILLARY and, by gum, that's good enough for me.
remember, these are the voters who cheer as Trump moves to take away their healthcare, makes sure they can never earn as much as it costs to live, undercuts the educational possibilities of their kids, tries to poison their air and water as fast as possible, helps to arm madmen with guns...
sure, what's not to like? HE'S NOT THAT EVIL WITCH, HILLARY and, by gum, that's good enough for me.
13
The New York Times thinks congressional committee investigations are essentials because it fears the special prosecutor will rely on factual evidence instead of innuendo.
1
You must first of all have a shred of evidence of collusion, of which now, after half a year of enquiries, there is none. There isn't even, in an FBI like a sieve, there isn't even any leak on evidence of collusion.
That Putin would prefer Trump, whom he snubbed and blocked before, Trump who ran as a vigorous developer of fossil fuel competing with Russia, over Clinton, who vowed to curtail it, never made any sense.
So until then, wait for Mueller's report. And should it come with still no proof, prepare to lose another round of elections.
That Putin would prefer Trump, whom he snubbed and blocked before, Trump who ran as a vigorous developer of fossil fuel competing with Russia, over Clinton, who vowed to curtail it, never made any sense.
So until then, wait for Mueller's report. And should it come with still no proof, prepare to lose another round of elections.
1
This does not bode well for an honest investigation. If Baker and Thompson were partisan and obstructive then, today's Republicans, including Mitchell, McaCain, Graham, and Ryan, will be much more so. One can hope that Trump, with his twisted personality, has alienated these folks. This could he McCain's well deserved revenge.
16
If Republicans in Congress won't step up and do the right thing and support a Congressional inquiry, I think the real question will be about the actual reason(s) for their hyper-partisanship.
Is it Machiavellian? --ie. the purpose of gaining power is simply to maintain that power?
Is it that they believe their own propaganda? --ie. the country as we know it would cease to exist if the Democrats ever controlled Congress, the White House, and the SCOTUS again?
Is it all of the safe Congressional districts? --ie. that the Reps behavior in Washington is a true representation of how right-wing and anti-government their districts really are, and so the Reps. can't risk crossing them?
Is it that they beholden to billionaires with crazy libertarian agendas? --ie. the Koch Brothers, Robert Mercer etc.?
If Congress will do nothing about Trump, it should be an opportunity for Democrats to highlight that the REAL source of complete lack of compromise in government is elected Republican Representatives, and to ask the right questions about why the have become so completely uncompromising.
Is it Machiavellian? --ie. the purpose of gaining power is simply to maintain that power?
Is it that they believe their own propaganda? --ie. the country as we know it would cease to exist if the Democrats ever controlled Congress, the White House, and the SCOTUS again?
Is it all of the safe Congressional districts? --ie. that the Reps behavior in Washington is a true representation of how right-wing and anti-government their districts really are, and so the Reps. can't risk crossing them?
Is it that they beholden to billionaires with crazy libertarian agendas? --ie. the Koch Brothers, Robert Mercer etc.?
If Congress will do nothing about Trump, it should be an opportunity for Democrats to highlight that the REAL source of complete lack of compromise in government is elected Republican Representatives, and to ask the right questions about why the have become so completely uncompromising.
8
Here's a crazy thought -- What about the collusion on the part of Congressional officials to cover up facts and/or use their positions to impede the investigation?
If Congressmen knew of collusion and/or obstruction, they too should be investigated and tried criminally. Abetting the commission of a crime is a very serious matter indeed, and I highly doubt GOP leadership's hands are clean in this nasty mess.
If Congressmen knew of collusion and/or obstruction, they too should be investigated and tried criminally. Abetting the commission of a crime is a very serious matter indeed, and I highly doubt GOP leadership's hands are clean in this nasty mess.
12
It must be a full moon tonight. The conspiracy theorists are running amok!
It is disappointing to read this opinion column and find that absolutely no one has anything new to add to the Watergate Debacle.....its as if no one has done any analysis of those events from FORTY YEARS AGO.
Time has appearantly not healed one single wound....Americans are still thinking of Watergate in exactly the same narrow construct they've been coached to think for the past 40 years.....Many Americans weren't even alive back then. Such is the power of propaganda, media, and academic priests of the History Dept.
Nixon was roundly ridiculed for being paranoid.....one problem......he was right. "They" really were out to get him.
Nixon won in a landslide Nov 1972. Two months later, Jan 1973, Nixon announced a Peace Treaty with N Vietnam. Two months after Nixon's negotiations actually ended the war....."They" blew the dust off the Watergate Break-In and began to tear Nixon apart. Why?
Think about it.
One year later, after manipulating enough Repubs to the Democrat side for an Impeachment Vote, George Herbert Walker Bush made Richard Nixon resign..............
Time has appearantly not healed one single wound....Americans are still thinking of Watergate in exactly the same narrow construct they've been coached to think for the past 40 years.....Many Americans weren't even alive back then. Such is the power of propaganda, media, and academic priests of the History Dept.
Nixon was roundly ridiculed for being paranoid.....one problem......he was right. "They" really were out to get him.
Nixon won in a landslide Nov 1972. Two months later, Jan 1973, Nixon announced a Peace Treaty with N Vietnam. Two months after Nixon's negotiations actually ended the war....."They" blew the dust off the Watergate Break-In and began to tear Nixon apart. Why?
Think about it.
One year later, after manipulating enough Repubs to the Democrat side for an Impeachment Vote, George Herbert Walker Bush made Richard Nixon resign..............
1
Talk about paranoia. Nixon brought this on himself. I also remember clearly the Saturday Night Massacre. He obstructed justice. And, BTW, he foiled earlier efforts at ending the Vietnam War so that HE could do so, costing thousands of American lives.
8
A very worthwhile read. Thank you.
One difference worth noting is that Nixon was a mentally disciplined attorney with political experience. Trump is .... Trump.
One difference worth noting is that Nixon was a mentally disciplined attorney with political experience. Trump is .... Trump.
18
Hey, aren't you putting the cart before the horse?
Before you drag the Republic through the tawdry circus of another impeachment, during which our domestic and foreign policies come to a standstill, you have to have some grounds. Like some high crime or misdemeanor.
Which is what? A few wisps of smoke don't make a smoking gun. Your loathing for Trump is not grounds for impeachment.
Put up or shut up. Let the current investigations run their course. The current manufactured frenzy is an assault by you on all your neighbors. It is high time for you to put the national interest ahead of your personal feelings.
Before you drag the Republic through the tawdry circus of another impeachment, during which our domestic and foreign policies come to a standstill, you have to have some grounds. Like some high crime or misdemeanor.
Which is what? A few wisps of smoke don't make a smoking gun. Your loathing for Trump is not grounds for impeachment.
Put up or shut up. Let the current investigations run their course. The current manufactured frenzy is an assault by you on all your neighbors. It is high time for you to put the national interest ahead of your personal feelings.
2
"Bipartisanship will be crucial." Well, so much for that then.
7
A Times editorial pointed out yesterday that we aren't any where near Watergate yet. Many people would agree. We have now accepted that Russia is engaged in a global campaign to destabilize democracies by interfering in elections, and the American people want to know whether Americans, any Americans, participated in that plan. That being said, it is alarming that our president seems to be going out of his way to ensure that those questions are never asked. This is the antithesis of Making America Great.
Mueller's appointment means that Trump and his associates will come under continuing, wide-ranging, and ever-tightening scrutiny. Mueller will seek Trump's tax returns; and when forced to produce them, Trump will become more naked politically than he desires. That, perhaps, will bring about his removal, whether in four or fewer years, who knows.
7
Definition: Expanding zero: "Bipartisanship will be crucial. Working with the evidence secured by prosecutors, congressional committees can provide a declassified narrative of Russian actions and whether Trump aides colluded. If the committee is aggressive, and its work is truly bipartisan, it can not only educate and reassure the public, but also legislate solutions to prevent future abuses."
Ok, let's rephrase that:
If Jesus defenestrates Satan on Wall Street and cuts his head off with a scythe made of lightening before it strikes the ground, the lion will lay down with the lamb at the crossroads of our humanity, and we'll all be saved.
If.
Ok, let's rephrase that:
If Jesus defenestrates Satan on Wall Street and cuts his head off with a scythe made of lightening before it strikes the ground, the lion will lay down with the lamb at the crossroads of our humanity, and we'll all be saved.
If.
Though some of the same mechanics of the Nixon downfall may repeat themselves here, the glare of 24-houor cable cranks the pace up to a blur, as everything is known (and potentially viral) the instant it happens. Trump's downfall may take the shape of Watergate, but, like computers today vs then, it will go much, much faster, especially since the GOP can't afford to let Trump's buffonery tarnish Pence too much more. They need to move fast if Trump is going down, so they don't end up with a 2019 Dem Congress picking, say Hilary Clinton for Speaker of the House, then bringing the big hammer down on both Trump and Pence, who has clearly been lying. about when he knew Flynn was radioactive. That would send the person to the White House who won the popular vote and knows how to do the job as well as anyone on the planet. And who is far, far less crooked by any measure. It would surely be democracy staging a coup, and the poetic justice would be like a feel good flick starring Julia Roberts or Meryl Streep.
6
and yet -
none dare call it treason.
none dare call it treason.
Impeachment only requires a simple majority in both houses while conviction requires a three-fourths majority in both houses. But Nixon wasn't impeached. n 1974, Democrats outnumbered republicans 241-192 in the House and 54-44 in the Senate. Nixon resigned because he thought the Democrats and some Republicans would vote for impeachment. Nixon said he resigned to spare the nation an impeachment trial. There was never a vote on impeachment. Congress would have voted to impeach, but no one knows if three-fourths of both houses would have voted for conviction.
3
The thing to remember about Watergate is that there was a crime to cover up. Five operatives paid by the Nixon reelection campaign were caught breaking into Democratic National Committee Headquarters. At trial, they implicated ranking members of the Nixon White House. Nixon was threaten with impeachment because Oval Office tapes revealed he told his subordinates to lie to investigators about their role in the break-in. The thing to remember about the current situation is that the collusion conspiracy theory is just a hypothesis, not a crime. No going to be indicted or impeached because a possibility exists some crime occurred.
3
Occam's razor instructs us that the simplest possible theoretical explanation for existing data is probably the correct explanation. The simplest explanation for Russian meddling in the 2016 election is that Putin has despised Hillary Clinton since 2011. As U.S. secretary of state, she accused him of rigging the 2011 Russian parliamentary elections. He holds Hillary responsible for inciting riots in Moscow. So, when Hillary announced her presidential candidacy, Vladimir took his revenge. He didn’t require any collusion on the part of the Trump campaign or Trump associates. This is why he smirks when reporters raise the collusion issue. The idea that Putin would need Trump’s help in carrying out cyberattacks and or a disinformation campaign is absurd.
5
Same timeline in effect?
It's seems that every 50 years or so, the Republican Party succeeds in allowing the highly corrupt individuals that inhabit its core and their criminal practices to challenge the out constitutional principles, our democratic processes and the institutions of our republic.
The Grand Old Party has brought us Harding and the Tea Pot dome, then Nixon and Watergate and now the Trump - Russian collusion that will, in all likelihood, measure up or even surpass the sinister ugliness of its predecessor scandals.
And it was also the alliance of the GOP with greed, laissez-faire economic policies, inane protectionism and its law-bending ways that brought us the Great Depression and Great Recession.
Baker, Thompson and Mitchell remind me of McConnell, Ryan and Sessions.
Perhaps it is time that the Republican Party, now financed in large part by the terrorist organization know at the National Rifle Association, be prosecuted and bought to justice for all its high and damaging crimes against the American people, once and for it.
It would be good riddance.
The Grand Old Party has brought us Harding and the Tea Pot dome, then Nixon and Watergate and now the Trump - Russian collusion that will, in all likelihood, measure up or even surpass the sinister ugliness of its predecessor scandals.
And it was also the alliance of the GOP with greed, laissez-faire economic policies, inane protectionism and its law-bending ways that brought us the Great Depression and Great Recession.
Baker, Thompson and Mitchell remind me of McConnell, Ryan and Sessions.
Perhaps it is time that the Republican Party, now financed in large part by the terrorist organization know at the National Rifle Association, be prosecuted and bought to justice for all its high and damaging crimes against the American people, once and for it.
It would be good riddance.
11
ps:
the Republicans have hated Hillary Clinton, a wonky enabler at the hearings, ever since.
and so Watergate lives on, even unto today..........
the Republicans have hated Hillary Clinton, a wonky enabler at the hearings, ever since.
and so Watergate lives on, even unto today..........
1
clearly, to save his own guilty keester.
1
I can't see republicans doing anything but continuing to enable Donald Trump. The most uncouth president of all times. Hey Mr. President, rack up another number one for your self kept tally sheet. Ryan and McConnell are enjoying this ride all too much as are most republicans. They get to snub the media and choose and pick what they wish to share with the American people.
I just love the brain washing they've accomplished as shown by their constituents. Pretty pathetic. How about that comment from the North Carolinian. Almost verbatim from the rants of our president, the one and only nut job. Can't wait for the words you have Donald Trump to kick around any more resonate throughout the whole universe before years end.
I just love the brain washing they've accomplished as shown by their constituents. Pretty pathetic. How about that comment from the North Carolinian. Almost verbatim from the rants of our president, the one and only nut job. Can't wait for the words you have Donald Trump to kick around any more resonate throughout the whole universe before years end.
1
What to remember about Watergate? John Dean, 1973.
What to remember in 2017? Who will it be? If anybody.
What to remember in 2017? Who will it be? If anybody.
6
It should not be forgotten that part of the Watergate tableau was the House Ways and Means Committee seeing Nixon's tax returns in 1974 - when a legislative committee subpoenas djt's tax returns, the jig will be up, since he will quit before he will allow that info to become public, though we're sure a SCOTUS decision (perhaps more than 1) will be required.
Back in the Nixon era, CNN wasn't yet around or even C-SPAN, so the damage that someone like Nixon could do today, over the period of time it takes for a special prosecutor to act compared to 1974, is a difference of light years - and that's before adding in the social media factors.
We are in a race, as djt's appointees act in ways detrimental to our information stream:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/12/business/media/sinclair-broadcast-kom...
and:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/a-tv-company-warned-its-...
an information stream all 17 of our intelligence agencies say was manipulated by Russia and its apparatchiks to favor djt - for whatever reason.
Part of the way to the truth is following the money trail that djt's tax returns will lay out.
Back in the Nixon era, CNN wasn't yet around or even C-SPAN, so the damage that someone like Nixon could do today, over the period of time it takes for a special prosecutor to act compared to 1974, is a difference of light years - and that's before adding in the social media factors.
We are in a race, as djt's appointees act in ways detrimental to our information stream:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/12/business/media/sinclair-broadcast-kom...
and:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/a-tv-company-warned-its-...
an information stream all 17 of our intelligence agencies say was manipulated by Russia and its apparatchiks to favor djt - for whatever reason.
Part of the way to the truth is following the money trail that djt's tax returns will lay out.
16
It's what Joe Biden would call a 'big deal' when James Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence, declares on CNN that the institutions of this country are under attack from the President:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/14/politics/james-clapper-russia-collusion/
The situation shouldn't be minimized, and certainly not because GOP'ers want to just get on with their agenda - of tax cutting and Obamacare repeal.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/14/politics/james-clapper-russia-collusion/
The situation shouldn't be minimized, and certainly not because GOP'ers want to just get on with their agenda - of tax cutting and Obamacare repeal.
7
Nixon tax returns had nothing to do with Watergate. He was threaten with impeachment only because Oval Office tapes revealed that he instructed his subordinates to lie to investigators about the Watergate break-in.
We must always remember that Dick Nixon did not acquire the nickname "Tricky Dick" out of the blue. He was always conspiring, getting others involved in his tricks, and watching as they were fired from their jobs.
Finally, it was his turn to walk the plank, and he did. -Zin out
Finally, it was his turn to walk the plank, and he did. -Zin out
4
I doubt you were alive way back when Nixon was president, and thus only know what you have been spoon fed by politicians, media, academics all of whom have a narrow agenda....I urge you to do your own research before parroting the same ole lines we've heard for the past 40 years.
Scott Armstrong has pointed out that an investigation requires more than a special prosecutor, and the actions of Congress are part of the perilous uncovering of truth. Whether Congress can play its part is unclear, and while Mueller will do his part, it is unlikely that the narrow confines of his charter will be broad enough to reveal the full picture.
8
And its the public's task to keep the House and Senate investigations hot. Along with the press.
The public must keep the heat on...its our patriotic duty!
The public must keep the heat on...its our patriotic duty!
14
The message here is not really a promising one. Unfortunately, the professional politicians in charge of the Congress will do everything in their power to protect their respective party. Conversely, none of them seem to see that true bipartisanship and a willingness from the Republican leaders in the House and Senate to pursue an in-name only Republican President would strengthen their party's position and potentially inspire critical thinking Independents to look closely at some of the Republican candidates coming up for re-election more closely. Love of country must override party loyalty if America is to get to the bottom of all this hubbub, even if it reveals nothing untoward has occurred. I think that serious investigation by the Republican lead Congress and the Special Prosecutor will reveal treasonous acts were engaged in, especially after the election. Why do you think Flynn wants immunity?
10
During Watergate the Democrats controlled both Houses of Congress and the Republicans controlled the White House. The Republicans currently control the White House, Congress and the Supreme Court. Watergate was a domestic political escapade in the Cold and Vietnam War era. The Soviet Union does not exist and there is only one Vietnam. Nixon was no Putin. Trump is no Nixon.
12
In Watergate, Nixon was not part of the original story, the break-in, but he was part of the cover-up.
Trump is probably innocent for Russia too, the innocent story. But firing Comey was a genuinely bad decision.
Trump is probably innocent for Russia too, the innocent story. But firing Comey was a genuinely bad decision.
14
Or he now knows more then he did. And like always believes he's the smartest, most savvy wheeler-dealer in the room. Nixon got involved when he shouldn't have, if he'd stayed out of the cover-up shenanigans he might have survived.
Nixon thought he was untouchable because he was president. Trump thinks the same. So maybe now he knows more then he should - because he demanded to be in the loop - and as such feels he as president can fix things, hence firing Comey. Which he believed would be welcomed by both sides...all because he has no real working knowledge of Wash DC.
I think Trump now knows what he shouldn't know...all due to his hubris.
Nixon thought he was untouchable because he was president. Trump thinks the same. So maybe now he knows more then he should - because he demanded to be in the loop - and as such feels he as president can fix things, hence firing Comey. Which he believed would be welcomed by both sides...all because he has no real working knowledge of Wash DC.
I think Trump now knows what he shouldn't know...all due to his hubris.
11
Evidence, evidence. I continue to anticipate that it will show that Trump associates, at a minimum with Trump's tacit approval, colluded with the Russian hackers. Trump is clinging, in his mind, to a "I didn't do anything wrong" hope. But he has already made several cover up mistakes. And this time, for once in his life, he won't be able to get away with it.
Bipartisan action will obviously be required for an impeachment. As will a national consensus including in particular the South. The photo accompanying Scott Armstrong's excellent article is very revealing in that regard, showing Fred Thompson, Howard Baker and Sam Ervin in the Watergate hearings. Will we see Lamar Alexander, Lindsey Graham and Richard Burr in Trumpgate? Will they go with the evidence?
Bipartisan action will obviously be required for an impeachment. As will a national consensus including in particular the South. The photo accompanying Scott Armstrong's excellent article is very revealing in that regard, showing Fred Thompson, Howard Baker and Sam Ervin in the Watergate hearings. Will we see Lamar Alexander, Lindsey Graham and Richard Burr in Trumpgate? Will they go with the evidence?
9
I remember my feelings of disbelief as Watergate unfolded. Our country has to get busy and make our elections solid and safe, have funding for presidential campaigns become strictly paid from government funds so that special interests can't pull all the strings or any strings, and get rid of the electoral college so that candidates won't cater to voters just to win. One person one vote. This can be done. There will be more Watergates until we modernize our election process.
38
Oh, Phyllis, don't hold your breath. Our parties and our government are wholly owned subsidiaries of US corporate power. What we are seeing in Congress today is the dissolution of our democracy by people who may have started out as idealists but who long ago lost their bone fides.
12
"One person one vote. This can be done."
You would have to have photo ID's for voters, which the Democratic Party strongly opposes.
You would have to have photo ID's for voters, which the Democratic Party strongly opposes.
History doesn't repeat itself, but it does tend to rhyme.
--Twain
--Twain
5
Sorry, but those days are long over. This GOP congress would never do anything to diminish their own power, and " jobs". It's that simple. Please, keep it up, boys. Hold on to your own tar-baby, and see what happens. The more you embrace HIM, that's more of you that he'll take out, eventually.
19
This is an important piece. I hope Mark Warner and Adam Schiff read this op-ed. The congressional investigations are just as important as before Robert Mueller was named special prosecutor. These committees need to be going full steam ahead in tandem with Mueller so the country can find out the total truth about Trump and Russia.
15
I watched those hearings every single day. What I remember most were the brave and honest members of Congress who unlike many of the Republicans today, put country before party. It was spectacular to be a witness to those historical moments.
36
I too, watched the Watergate hearings in morbid fascination. Unlike, those times, I don't think you will see any profiles in courage among this bunch of vapid, venal, and mendacious bunch of Republicans. Paul Ryan's evasive
"compartmentalization" of ignoring what's going on, as well as Mitch McConnell's stealing a Supreme court seat clearly indicate that it's party over country. These Republicans will only "find their conscience" and wrap themselves in the flag when polls indicate the rabid Trump supporters are abandoning him. That is the calculus going on here. Meanwhile, if there is any chance of passing Trumpcare (oxymoron) or getting tax cuts for the rich, they will hang on to this erratic, narcissistic empty suit of a President as long as possible, because he will unwittlingly sign their disasterous bills into law.
I fully suspect the next stall tactic will be for Trump to fire Mueller. It may take that for the House to finally get off the dime, and vote for impeachment. In the interim, he and the "Freedom" caucus can continue to rob millions of health care & dismantle any semblance of environmental protection in the name of greed.
"compartmentalization" of ignoring what's going on, as well as Mitch McConnell's stealing a Supreme court seat clearly indicate that it's party over country. These Republicans will only "find their conscience" and wrap themselves in the flag when polls indicate the rabid Trump supporters are abandoning him. That is the calculus going on here. Meanwhile, if there is any chance of passing Trumpcare (oxymoron) or getting tax cuts for the rich, they will hang on to this erratic, narcissistic empty suit of a President as long as possible, because he will unwittlingly sign their disasterous bills into law.
I fully suspect the next stall tactic will be for Trump to fire Mueller. It may take that for the House to finally get off the dime, and vote for impeachment. In the interim, he and the "Freedom" caucus can continue to rob millions of health care & dismantle any semblance of environmental protection in the name of greed.
6
During Watergate, there was a crime to cover up. Operatives paid by the Nixon reelection campaign were caught red-handed breaking into Democratic National Headquarters. At trial, they implicated ranking members of the White House staff. Oval Office tapes subsequently revealed that Nixon instructed his subordinates to lie to federal investigators. Today, Trump is accused of obstruction of justice for trying to persuade FBI Director James Comey to drop the investigation of Michael Flynn. At the time, Flynn was accused of violating the Logan Act during his transition-period conversations with the Russian ambassador. But the FBI knows exactly what Flynn said during his phone conversations with the Russian ambassador because it eavesdropped on the conversations. Officials told the Washington Post the conversations did not constitute a violation of the Logan Act. Flynn’s company did lobbying work that benefitted Turkey—a NATO ally—but this is not a crime. The Army is investigating Flynn to determine if he, as a retired military officers, should have requested prior approval before making a speech in Moscow, but this is not a criminal offence. If the Army rules against Flynn, it could dock his military retirement pay, but this investigation is separate from the FBI investigation. If there is no crime, how can there be obstruction of justice? And if Trump was trying to protect Flynn, why did he fire Flynn before firing Comey?
1
Flynn was a person paid by a foreign government (Turkey) and such people have to register with the government. He did not. This is a violation of law and I believe it is criminal. During the time he held these two dueling positions he also apparently altered a US plan to use the Kurds in attacks in Syria. This is one action in which he went against what was best for the US in order to favor an action that benefited Turkey. Perhaps that was why he was fired? He lied to Pence about his discussions with the Russians. Perhaps that's why he was fired? I don't know . . . Seems to me that these and a few other media covered "faux pas" might be more than simply "not crimes." They might actually be criminal in nature as well as treasonous. What'd y'all think?
9
Failing to register as a foreign agent is a crime. Failure to obtain permission to receive compensation from a foreign government, if by a retired U.S. military general officer, is a violation of the UCMJ, punishable by court martial.
4
Flynn did register as a foreign agent, apparently within the proscribed timeframe. He told the Trump transition team that he would have to register before he was named National Security Advisor. The lobbying worked ended before he became National Security Advisor. It's unclear how Flynn advised Trump on the Kurdish issues, but many experts think the United States is running a risk by angering Turkey, who is a NATO ally. None of the actions you attribute to Flynn or illegal.
The actions of Mr Nixon to scuttle President Johnson's peace initiative in 1968. Recent unearthing of Mr. Halderman's legal pad notes at the Nixon library detail Madame Chennault as the bag lady for Nixon to President Thiệu. A goal was for the President to hold out for a better deal with Nixon and scupper Vice President Humphrey's bid.
Did Candidate Trump take action(s) to directly influence official US policy for the benefit of his candidacy and to the detriment of Ms. Clinton's?
Did Candidate Trump take action(s) to directly influence official US policy for the benefit of his candidacy and to the detriment of Ms. Clinton's?
4
In the Iran-Contra scandal, we had bi-partisan congressional hearings and a special prosecutor with post-Watergate authority. But Congress issued immunity to key players like Oliver North and Poindexter which resulted in their criminal convictions, won in court by the special prosecutor, being overturned on appeal, even though the prosecution was painstakingly based on evidence developed independent of the congressional hearing and therefore not covered by the grants of immunity. Congressional hearings, especially in such a partisan climate as today, can be anathema to the cause of justice.
9
As a former prosecutor, it is better to have some little fish swim away so we can find and fix the big holes in the net. It is fine if a few second-class burglars walk, if that forces Congress to enact regulations like requiring all Presidential candidates to release 5 years of tax returns, or limiting computer-manipulated and targeted amplification of propaganda. Our kids and grand-kids will be better off than locking up a few Flynns or Manaforts.
1
I doubt that today's SCOTUS would find that the executive branch must comply with a Congressional subpoena in a criminal investigation. It would break 5-4 for the President.
13
Do they have the courage and resources to "follow the money"?
7
This is fascinating stuff. Nixon was a bit before my time and I've never read an authoritative book about Watergate. But columnists and commenters have written about how things were different back then, how it was a bipartisan effort to get to the bottom of things and uncover the truth. Everyone loves sharing the quote from Howard Baker: "What did the president know and when did he know it?"
Per Scott Armstrong, who was actually there, the truth is rather different. Forget about the supposed moderators of the comments who let a lot of garbage pass through, folks writing complete gibberish. Presumably the editorial staff has some people who being a bit older than my almost 50 years lived through Watergate and remember the details. So why would they let columns by their regular opinion writers slip through detailing less than factual accounts of how actual events unfolded? Sure Baker uttered his famous quote, but only after the inconvenient truths had him backed in a corner. So much for the much touted bipartisan patriotism from four plus decades ago.
History seems so much like a game of telephone after reading columns like this. No wonder the professional historians keep writing books about topics that one might assume had already been completely addressed given the number of thick tomes already written about the subject.
They might be writing about Trump hundreds of years from now, if there's a civilization still around with the luxury for such.
Per Scott Armstrong, who was actually there, the truth is rather different. Forget about the supposed moderators of the comments who let a lot of garbage pass through, folks writing complete gibberish. Presumably the editorial staff has some people who being a bit older than my almost 50 years lived through Watergate and remember the details. So why would they let columns by their regular opinion writers slip through detailing less than factual accounts of how actual events unfolded? Sure Baker uttered his famous quote, but only after the inconvenient truths had him backed in a corner. So much for the much touted bipartisan patriotism from four plus decades ago.
History seems so much like a game of telephone after reading columns like this. No wonder the professional historians keep writing books about topics that one might assume had already been completely addressed given the number of thick tomes already written about the subject.
They might be writing about Trump hundreds of years from now, if there's a civilization still around with the luxury for such.
13
My recollection was that Baker first tried to impede the investigation. The new information on Nixon is that he committed Treason in his secret undermining of a settlement in Vietnam in 1968. All those lives lost.
Today it should be a no-brainer between the U.S. Russia, China, and Europe that there should be no nukes on the Korean peninsula--non-proliferation here, where proliferation is clearly preventable. A diplomatic settlement would include reunification, where all parties, including China, would benefit. Where we stand now is that N. Korea just tested a ballistic missile for long range re-entry, i.e. a test for a missile capable of hitting the continental U.S., and a President, thanks to his obvious collusion with the Russians (why else would he continue to hide his tax returns and real estate dealings with them) who no one trusts to be capable of handling the situation.
One also gets the feeling that China as well as U.S. States and municipalities are ready to take decisive action on emissions/climate control. But it is the Trump oil people along with Russia and Saudi Arabia, who are actively trying to block it.
On matters of saving humanity, Non-proliferation is a test of whether the most powerful nations are committed to this. If yes, then combating global warming/climate change will be much easier, again effecting all of humanity. When domestic consumption of fossil fuels drops toward zero, if needed, there will still be plenty of cheap oil for militaries.
Today it should be a no-brainer between the U.S. Russia, China, and Europe that there should be no nukes on the Korean peninsula--non-proliferation here, where proliferation is clearly preventable. A diplomatic settlement would include reunification, where all parties, including China, would benefit. Where we stand now is that N. Korea just tested a ballistic missile for long range re-entry, i.e. a test for a missile capable of hitting the continental U.S., and a President, thanks to his obvious collusion with the Russians (why else would he continue to hide his tax returns and real estate dealings with them) who no one trusts to be capable of handling the situation.
One also gets the feeling that China as well as U.S. States and municipalities are ready to take decisive action on emissions/climate control. But it is the Trump oil people along with Russia and Saudi Arabia, who are actively trying to block it.
On matters of saving humanity, Non-proliferation is a test of whether the most powerful nations are committed to this. If yes, then combating global warming/climate change will be much easier, again effecting all of humanity. When domestic consumption of fossil fuels drops toward zero, if needed, there will still be plenty of cheap oil for militaries.
Nixon did not resign on August 8, 1974; he resigned on August 9, 1974. On August 8 he gave the nationally televised address in which he said he would resign the next day. He did not officially resign until Secretary of State Henry Kissinger received Nixon's resignation letter the morning of August 8.
2
Heaven knows, this one will probably "inform" the American people with a misspelled twitter, which we'll read on the television as we are watching missiles fly into Korea.
Wow. In the past week, Howard Baker has been held up by many as the kind of Republican, righteous and public-spirited, who's in short supply these days. This piece paints a very different picture of him.
One more lesson, at least for Trump's circle:
Nixon was looking forward to a pardon; several members of his circle, . . . not so much.
Nixon was looking forward to a pardon; several members of his circle, . . . not so much.
3
Watergate was a politically partisan domestic fight between a Democratic majority Congress and a Republican White House that carries no remote resemblance to the current extant Russia/ Moscow/ Kremlin Gate.
Instead of paying people to write articles about how Congress will need to take action, the Times should be putting the money into investigations. The key to Watergate was the investigation by Woodward and Bernstein of the Washington Post using leaks from a high FBI official. No serious crime has been uncovered yet and the Republican Congress will not be seriously trying to find any, whatever some of them may say in public. This time it will be even more up to the media to find out what really went on.
45
Obviously, the Times has been putting their resources into investigations, hence all the stories they've been either breaking or racing with the Post to break. The cost of a column is nothing compared to the cost of putting a team to work full-time on investigative reporting. And this is a highly informative column that gave me a more realistic and thus hopeful perspective on bipartisanship, since I've been among those naïvely evoking Howard Baker as a dispassionate patriot seeking truth and justice.
8
I consider the interview with Lester Holt in which Trump speaks of having the Russian investigation in mind when he fired Comey along with his comments to the Russian Ambassador in the Oval Office to be prima facie evidence of his desire to interfere with a government investigation and his action to then do so. There was motive, desire and opportunity. All these lawyerly Congressional Republican stooges notwithstanding this President committed a criminal act in this instance and I suspect on other occasions as well, this being the most obvious. When his supporters find his actions and words repulsive and let their legislators know, that is when this sycophantic Congress will say enough and not until then.
5
There were numerous Republicans who
Took a National, not self-interest view,
But this crop, on the whole,
To a Mountain, a mole,
With real Patriots fewer than few.
Took a National, not self-interest view,
But this crop, on the whole,
To a Mountain, a mole,
With real Patriots fewer than few.
18
When congress is full of jerks
Democracy never works
Democracy never works
"continued to work behind the scenes to prevent the....focusing on Mr. Nixon"
"Partisan politics continued in private."
"Yet for all its infighting, the committee played a crucial role"
All said and done the Watergate hearings though staunchly partisan, won the day. My belief is that as partisan as this Congress is, the truth will prevail. I'm particularly hopeful of the Senate Committee investigation. Also, Mueller is well respected and envision him to "leave no stone unturned".
I was around at the time of Watergate hearings. Captivating to say the least.
"Partisan politics continued in private."
"Yet for all its infighting, the committee played a crucial role"
All said and done the Watergate hearings though staunchly partisan, won the day. My belief is that as partisan as this Congress is, the truth will prevail. I'm particularly hopeful of the Senate Committee investigation. Also, Mueller is well respected and envision him to "leave no stone unturned".
I was around at the time of Watergate hearings. Captivating to say the least.
25
Where is the gravitas equal of Senator Sam Irvin today?
Will it be Senator Adam Schiff?
Will it be Senator Adam Schiff?
14
It is as said "worth remembering", which along with actually committing a crime as Mr Nixon's case, while in this instance evidence has yet to be more than intimated.
Partisanship is certainly a factor in any political investigation, but the opportunity to collude in these days of high tech spying makes that opportunity most difficult and certainly obvious.
I am no fan of our President, but, in our definition of law, he and his associates are innocent until proven guilty.
Partisanship is certainly a factor in any political investigation, but the opportunity to collude in these days of high tech spying makes that opportunity most difficult and certainly obvious.
I am no fan of our President, but, in our definition of law, he and his associates are innocent until proven guilty.
3
There WAS a crime - the cyber break-in of the DNC.
It was not the kind of "bricks and mortar" break-in that occurred in 1972, but the two crimes are certainly comparable.
The comparisons between Watergate and Russia-Gate are remarkable- including the reactions of the two prevailing presidential candidates.
It was not the kind of "bricks and mortar" break-in that occurred in 1972, but the two crimes are certainly comparable.
The comparisons between Watergate and Russia-Gate are remarkable- including the reactions of the two prevailing presidential candidates.
35
How can we prevent abuses of power? The media, prosecutors and congress will contribute to this issue. Especially examining what’s justice is essential for members of the ruling party. We cannot maintain democratic society without congressional consciousness.
18
"A mature special prosecutor and a well-led congressional inquiry can coordinate over issues like witness immunity. Congress can creatively expand its witness list beyond prosecution targets and fill in critical details from “satellite” witnesses, as the Watergate committee did with Mr. Butterfield....
Bipartisanship will be crucial."
Well led Congressional inquiry? Bipartisanship? When pigs fly!
Bipartisanship will be crucial."
Well led Congressional inquiry? Bipartisanship? When pigs fly!
50
Hahaha
MEM, you beat me to it!
MEM, you beat me to it!
5
Sam J. Ervin Jr. moved in late but he was required to denounce Nixon.
Outside of Mueler which part of the Trump clown car is ready to say they were over their heads?