Time to move on and work for the American people...the election is 8 months old
1
Yes! Let's find common ground among the many legitimately, disenfranchised people in the country. We could also work toward 2020 by, a) opening up the primaries so that everyone can vote, and b) restricting the early reporting of results by the media so they can't manipulate voter and regional participation, e.g. excluding the pacific time zone from the election process.
2
What is it with the luxury real estate industry?
5
Wow. This sure is one thrilling spy novel.
No. Wait a minute. This is real.
No. Wait a minute. This is real.
9
No. Wait a minute. It's not real.
You are right that it reads like a thrilling spy story. It stands to reason that something fabricated by the media would be titillating.
You are right that it reads like a thrilling spy story. It stands to reason that something fabricated by the media would be titillating.
I guess this level of scrutiny of a Trump associate can be justified, to a degree, as an important check and balance to the power of the president. But if this also turns-out baseless or unconnected to Trump, who will account for the costs in terms of resources and obstruction to a duly elected president? If there is no limit to how peripheral these investigations go, it seems that these investigators need to be elected by the people or directly appointed by elected officials.
2
"duly elected"? That's the central question, already answered and now we have the very important, related matter of trying to determine the beneficiaries' culpability.
2
One could easily take the text of your post and substitute Obama or Hillary Clinton and ask your same question about the obstruction of the previous duly elected President.
9
Well not Hillary, she was not duly elected ANYWHERE (except to Congress, by NYers seeking her Washington/national-level connections.) Since Watergate, congressional investigations have become wildly popular in mainstream media. The media has greatly fueled them for their own commercial purposes. The media has become a central "check and balance" to our government; they're effectively another branch of the government though unelected and, therefore, in my view, a problem. The availability of online news sources, i.e. competition, has actually made things worse. Mainstream media has become less professional and responsible to our country's needs. THEY have become more partisan/biased/untruthful. They cherry-pick extreme online news reports (that most people read only as tabloid news) to lower the bar for their own conduct. The problem is that most people follow mainstream news as though it reports the truth.
Let's assume that Mr. Trump has done nothing improper or illegal.
Then why are there so many slimy people surrounding him?
These people go way beyond simple embarrassments, like Roger Clinton or Billy Carter.
Then why are there so many slimy people surrounding him?
These people go way beyond simple embarrassments, like Roger Clinton or Billy Carter.
13
The FBI is gonna turn over every stone related to this sorry bunch of characters,casting a wide net. Because when you see a bunch of sharks, it doesn't matter what kind they are, they are killers. They are not innocent porpoises.
Same with the spiderweb of sleazy characters surrounding Trump. No honest, ethical person would surround themselves with so many shady, slippery shysters. The FBI is gonna find them and some will sing, while others will do time. And trump will be nailed.
It's about time.
Same with the spiderweb of sleazy characters surrounding Trump. No honest, ethical person would surround themselves with so many shady, slippery shysters. The FBI is gonna find them and some will sing, while others will do time. And trump will be nailed.
It's about time.
21
There are three species of sharks responsible for the bulk attacks on humans. So, it most certainly does matter. Humans kill many, many sharks than otherwise. Since the presidency has been filled by a pathological liar, and his cadre of "fake news people" who talk about alternative facts, it is imperative that we not follow suit. Everything else you wrote I agree with. Had it been mandatory for presidential candidates to reveal their income taxes for the last 10 years (at least) trump would not have, could not have been a candidate. Putin wanted him badly.
4
The Republican/Russian strategy seems to be to weary the public with fake investigations (Whitewater, Monica, Benghazi, E-mails) so that when they got into office everyone would be so tired of the constant witch hunts the Republicans would have no trouble blowing off any inquiries into their own activities. The master propaganda artists at Fox and InfoWars and their Russki trainers know just how to gauge the attention span of the American electorate.
10
What else is new? Manafort and his BFF trump doing the same ugly deals, with Manafort in cohoots with Ukrainian crooks, who in turn are Putin's BFF's. And Manafort watering down the GOP platform in favor of Ukraine/Putin. And trump turned a blind eye to it all.
Yes, what else is new with their untoward continuing destruction of our country.
Yes, what else is new with their untoward continuing destruction of our country.
11
Lots of mafia connections surrounding Mr. Trump. But do not be fooled into thinking Mr. Trump is Don Corleone, or even Michael.
Donald Trump is Fredo.
"It ain't the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I'm smart! Not like everybody says... like dumb... I'm smart and I want respect!"
Donald Trump is Fredo.
"It ain't the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I'm smart! Not like everybody says... like dumb... I'm smart and I want respect!"
16
Thank you! That is probably the funniest thing I've read since the attack on America began. I needed a good laugh, and you certainly provided it.
7
Why are shell companies legal? Why is it legal to short or long sell investments? Why are the punishments for breaking the law when it comes to investment or other white collar crimes? Why didn't the financial reform law of 2010 (commonly called DoddFrank) do anything to stop this legally sanctioned criminal activity?
All in DC are involved with this disgrace on the American people - the vehicles that moved money from the many to the few in the 2008 meltdown (transfer of wealth) were formed by politicians from 1996 to 2008 and fully supported by Dems and Reps. From the elimination of Glass Seagull to the continued legislation that allows shell companies and lack of transparency in hedge funds, both parties and all presidents are complicit.
All in DC are involved with this disgrace on the American people - the vehicles that moved money from the many to the few in the 2008 meltdown (transfer of wealth) were formed by politicians from 1996 to 2008 and fully supported by Dems and Reps. From the elimination of Glass Seagull to the continued legislation that allows shell companies and lack of transparency in hedge funds, both parties and all presidents are complicit.
3
Isn't clear to everyone by now that Trump is a liar, is utterly corrupt, is a buffoon, and above all, not worthy to hold the office of president of our beloved country? He stains the USA by his vulgar, disgusting uncouth self holding an office that is supposed carry dignity. The harm to our culture and social fabric everyday he is allowed to continue in office is inestimable.
Media pressure on these self evident truths needs to be ratcheted up until even the republicans are shamed into proceeding with the articles of impeachment. Impeachment does not require a crime in the strict sense of the term, bot only a loss of trust of the American people as represented by the Congress. "High crimes and misdemeanors" from the constitution is not about literal crimes but more about a refusal to honor the other branches of government, the Congress, the Judiciary, and even the fourth estate, the Free Press. He has denigrated all of them, shows no respect for any of them, and by that criterion has already reached the threshold for articles of impeachment to be brought. It's time to waste no more time and remove this sleazebag from the continuous stain he is putting on the presidency.
Media pressure on these self evident truths needs to be ratcheted up until even the republicans are shamed into proceeding with the articles of impeachment. Impeachment does not require a crime in the strict sense of the term, bot only a loss of trust of the American people as represented by the Congress. "High crimes and misdemeanors" from the constitution is not about literal crimes but more about a refusal to honor the other branches of government, the Congress, the Judiciary, and even the fourth estate, the Free Press. He has denigrated all of them, shows no respect for any of them, and by that criterion has already reached the threshold for articles of impeachment to be brought. It's time to waste no more time and remove this sleazebag from the continuous stain he is putting on the presidency.
9
McConnell is a snake who couldn't care less (and maybe feels glad) that NYTimes commenters are ranting and raving; and who figures that the kind of damage that Trump will do is probably (McConnell is willing to gamble) not of the nuclear variety and would only hurt masses of anonymous people who don't exist in McConnell's world. So McConnell is glad to have the chance to cobble together legislation that will benefit his reelection constituency of the have-a-lots while Trump, out front, keeps the world occupied with his jester show. We need one eye on Trump but the other, intently, on McConnell (and Ryan and their ilk).
Now name the Republican member of Congress - Senate or House - who HAS explicitly said that we can not abide such a festering, malignant wart on the face of our country. Go ahead, make a short list of the ones with the greatest reputation for "integrity" and see if even any one of them makes the cut.
Now name the Republican member of Congress - Senate or House - who HAS explicitly said that we can not abide such a festering, malignant wart on the face of our country. Go ahead, make a short list of the ones with the greatest reputation for "integrity" and see if even any one of them makes the cut.
6
Will the "deep state and the free press" bring US out of this darkness and into the LIGHT...?
4
These people are so sleazy. I think Manafort will go to prison and it maybe nothing to do with Russia. I can't wait until they untangle trump's financial affairs.
8
But so are the people depicting them as sleazy.
So if the 'Russia-Collusion' accusations are totally false, as were 'Weapons of Mass Destruction', who will be accountable for all the resources wasted and damage done? If something unrelated sticks here to Mr. Manafort, it surely doesn't justify a monumentally divisive claim that appears to be utterly bogus - which is what Trump was saying all along. Major self-examination seems overdue for the Democrats - and this should begin with acknowledging error.
So if the 'Russia-Collusion' accusations are totally false, as were 'Weapons of Mass Destruction', who will be accountable for all the resources wasted and damage done? If something unrelated sticks here to Mr. Manafort, it surely doesn't justify a monumentally divisive claim that appears to be utterly bogus - which is what Trump was saying all along. Major self-examination seems overdue for the Democrats - and this should begin with acknowledging error.
1
These people all wreak of corruption and other shady manoeuvres. They also reflect Trump himself.
MAGA
MAGA
5
How much more info do we need to know about this guy? His haircut alone should be enough to convict him.
6
WOW this is better than the Enquirer and I am sure could apply to other high-income people in the democratic party. Print a story only when you have a real proven one.
no 50/50 partnership ever ended up well~
1
keep lining up those dominoes
3
Looks like it pays off to be close to Trump & Putin- plenty of Russian money. The Manaforts don't have to worry- full Pardons by Trump coming.
6
The once great FBI ran amok under the failed leadership of Comey, the admitted coward and leaker, who famously hid behind a curtain because he was scared of big bad mean Mr. Trump shaking his sweaty little hand. Now the inquiry is reduced to meaningless ancillary probes. That's next? Let's investigate the third cousin once removed of Mr. Manafort. Sure. She may have overheard something illegal and passed it on to her second cousin who told her third cousin who acted on it. Puleeese!
1
Hook, line and sinker. You swallowed it all.
9
your lame attempt at trivializing the nefarious "going ons" of Trump's Russian connections is as obvious as Trump's lame attempt of "bluffing" he had a tape recording of his conversation with Comey. Comey who was not a failed leader, but a good leader investigating Trump and all his crooked cronies.
9
Michael Lewis... start writing... it's going to be better than Moneyball or The Big Short... cannot wait, hopefully we still have a country to read it in
9
....and, this new healthcare bill gives tax breaks to the ultra rich, doesn't it sound like they need it ? It's not easy throwing a million dollars here, two million dollars over there, etc....
3
The dominoes are stacked and lined up we will see how many fall and turns on who. This is a intricate web that has been weaved. Mr Trump you still have time to resign.
5
"Pay cash for primo real estate funnelled through shell companies, then get a mortgage for a shell company" quacks like money laundering, doesn't it?
There are a lot of DC political players who have decades of experience as campaign mercenaries in authoritarian countries. Manafort is just the dirty tip of that particular iceberg.
There are a lot of DC political players who have decades of experience as campaign mercenaries in authoritarian countries. Manafort is just the dirty tip of that particular iceberg.
2
Thank you, Lord - for this soap opera
1
You want to know where our corruption lies. Read the Internal Revenue Manual. This is what the IRS uses to do you taxes. The IRS will hire anybody off the street and they will have access to your social security information. No wonder they are faced with stolen identity issues. Scams and phishing issues. Go to IRS.com and read about the scams and phishing issues they are having.
When Nixon resigned he had 40 _45 per cent of people behind him. His attorney General in jail his VP in jail and resigned, advisors under prosecution, attorney under prosecution and it took two years. Even today after tapes of his corruption and crimes, owing 400,00 k to IRS, he is seen by a large number of people as being unfairly prosecuted and unfairly required to resign. Trump will be no different.
1
They got Capone on tax evasion not racketeering. Manafort received payments "off the books" for his political work in Ukraine. That would be unreported income it seems. Might the IRS be interested in Manafort for tax evasion? Further, might Manafort be interested in cooperating with DOJ (absent the recused Sessions) to elucidate the nature of Trump's involvement in the Russian election interference? Trump bum rushed Manafort out of the campaign when his Russian connections were revealed. They later minimized his role as former campaign manager. Why was he such a hot potato to them? When confronted about being compromised by Russia Manafort has no plausible explanation other than denial. He may prefer to 'turn' than go down. Trump "better hope" Manafort fears the Russians more than federal prosecution.
12
Trump announced first fund raisers for 2020. That will coupled with investments in his companies. Quid pro quo. You back me I re election and you invest in family company and "you're a good guy too". Wake up Trump supporters.
Its all about: Weaken Americans health and sell the country for personal gain. They'll be too busy to complain. Trumps kingdom of endless riches. Loot the world with Putin, China and Saudi Arabia.
Its all about: Weaken Americans health and sell the country for personal gain. They'll be too busy to complain. Trumps kingdom of endless riches. Loot the world with Putin, China and Saudi Arabia.
13
Would most of Mr. Trump's associates not survive a proper investigation? What is the difference between the people he stands by and the ones he throws off the bus? True Mr. Manafort was thrown off the bus but Trump didn't publicly shame him like he has Mr. Spicer and Mr. Priebus. Trump stands by the crooked ones, but everybody else is expendable. His lack of real, i.e., non-TV, leadership skills rules out loyalty (that is, loyalty of Trump to these people). The connection looks like money and secrets.
7
At the very least President Trump often surrounds himself with borderline crooks. His crime might only be that he's to stupid and unprepared in judgement to chose people with higher moral standards.
1
Trump is more money launderer than developer. He lends his brand to nefarious international entities and allows them to wash through his name. That is his business model and it is dirty dirty dirty.
14
Turns out America is just as corrupt as anywhere else. Need banks to shelter income from taxes? No problem. Want to launder ill gotten gains? No problem.
5
I am all for uncovering any illegal activity within our government, to include non-elected persons of considerable interest and importance. But it must be done equally. One cannot simply pick a political side and go with it and ignore similarly questionable activities from the other side. It looks like money trumps national security. I am of course referring to the Clinton email server and all that reported here and elsewhere to have been on that server and the effort to destroy the same. But if money is involved, the notorious root of all evil, all the stops are pulled out. And again, I don't have a problem. Just let's look at everything and everyone with a fishy smell to it.
Thing is Clinton was investigated under the Benghazi probe headed by her vetriolic critics in the house and nothing came of it. Could it be there was nothing criminal found? Surely a GOP led committee would not let Clinton go scotfree
1
Hilary wanted a private server- as previous Secretaries had, and even as her husband had as President, because it could be kept more secure than the government servers. And in fact, it was. The State Dept. servers were hacked more than once. No harm flowed from her handling of documents. There is a separate system for highly classified information that she testified she always used. Regulations she is accused of not following were not in place at the time she is accused of violating them. Info tech and the rules regarding them are moving target. Manufactured scandal.
2
Mr. Trump surrounded his life with some really creepy individuals.
When financial records are reviewed, America will be remarkably safer!!!
When financial records are reviewed, America will be remarkably safer!!!
3
The questions about Trump and the sleazy cast of characters he attracted to his campaign keep piling up. It's disgusting and disturbing. But what troubles me even more is the dark hole of vague actions taken by the Russians to undermine the election.
Now we know that federal security representatives reached out to states to warn election officials about alien hacking threats and potential voting interference. They offered to review election systems and advise on protective measures. They were rebuffed.
Assurances that the election was fair and voting was not affected now ring hollow. Are we still supposed to believe that no voting machines or software or tallies were compromised? I suspect that Trump knew that the Russians were engaged in efforts to interfere, which is why he said that the election was rigged.
It was.
Now we know that federal security representatives reached out to states to warn election officials about alien hacking threats and potential voting interference. They offered to review election systems and advise on protective measures. They were rebuffed.
Assurances that the election was fair and voting was not affected now ring hollow. Are we still supposed to believe that no voting machines or software or tallies were compromised? I suspect that Trump knew that the Russians were engaged in efforts to interfere, which is why he said that the election was rigged.
It was.
26
So glad we have Robert Mueller.
24
Somebody, most likely in the Trump orbit, gave the Russians that huge database of voters recently exposed. Russian hackers then had specific targets, with topic attitudes, to influence anti-Clinton Republicans and pro-Sanders Democrats. Classic spycraft in the digital age with "The Putin" touch.
5
Thank goodness for the NY Times and other undaunted journalists who help bring this information into the light of day. To the Times: I applaud your efforts and I thank you for helping to keep democracy alive. We can only hope that the Republicans finally see the light and finally stand up to the lies and deceptions of Trump and his associates involved in Russian collusion. The reason is blatantly obvious as to why Trump is so reticent to denounce the Russian hacking of our election, for as the expression says: "Follow the money..."
23
I was curious to learn more about Mr Yohai's personal background and the social circles he moved in that would have allowed him to meet and court Paul Manafort' s daughter. That would also have lent context to the real estate transactions that Mr Yohai was reportedly involved in, brokering multi-million dollar celebrity homes in the Hollywood Hills. As stated, Manafort disapproved of his daughter's marriage, but why he agreed to backstop his son-in-law's real estate deals has not been explained; but a fair guess might be that Manafort knew who some or most of the buyers were if they were looking to shelter stolen money from Russia and Eastern Europe. In exchange for half-interest in the deal, Mr Yohai got to be the public face of the partnership with his father-in-law who had either the personal wealth or connections to make the deals work.
Interestingly enough, the article mentions that both Yohai and Manafort are represented by the same lawyer. No surprise there; and one can easily predict what would likely happen if Yohai's and Manafort's legal or financial interests suddenly diverge. Daughter goes back to daddy, and son-in-law ends up divorced, bankrupt, or jailed. Nice.
Interestingly enough, the article mentions that both Yohai and Manafort are represented by the same lawyer. No surprise there; and one can easily predict what would likely happen if Yohai's and Manafort's legal or financial interests suddenly diverge. Daughter goes back to daddy, and son-in-law ends up divorced, bankrupt, or jailed. Nice.
9
In an abuse of power, it seems that Trump's enemies are assuming SOMETHING will stick here and that this would then justify their overreach, post hoc. One might think this a safe assumption, given Trump's unsophisticated and ethically-dubious persona. But then again, Trump successfully slayed the Republican establishment, the Democratic establishment and the media establishment using the support of the people, rather than money (and betting against the people is usually a bad idea). So, their assumptions may not have been so warranted - and so, as the song goes, "Everybody plays the fool - no exception to the rule...".
6
It's more like "There is a lot of smoke here. Let's look for the fire."
21
@ carl bumba: I wouldn't be so quick to claim Trump has the "support of the people". he does have his supporters, but more "people" (no matter how you define it) voted against him than for him.
4
You forgot to credit the support of Russian cyber warfare, James Comey, and a flawed Clinton, mercilessly beaten up for years by a selectively engaged Republican oversight efforts, and unlimited SuperPac money.
7
The day the Trump international crime family and team is prosecuted and convicted by an independent prosecutor will be a glorious one indeed.
Our main problem, however, is the Trump family/team's collusion with the Russians to destroy our democratic election process and put Trump into power. We already know the Russians employed 1,000 phonies to put out false stories about Hillary Clinton and also hacked at least 39 states voter systems.
Time to void the election for president/vice president and either swear in the runner up or hold a new election for president/vice president. One person, one vote, all on paper ballots administrated by the League of Women Voters and similar groups.
Our main problem, however, is the Trump family/team's collusion with the Russians to destroy our democratic election process and put Trump into power. We already know the Russians employed 1,000 phonies to put out false stories about Hillary Clinton and also hacked at least 39 states voter systems.
Time to void the election for president/vice president and either swear in the runner up or hold a new election for president/vice president. One person, one vote, all on paper ballots administrated by the League of Women Voters and similar groups.
64
Months ago Manafort was willing to voluntary appear and answer all questions. No committee asked him. Instead, now we have "leaks" from the FBI or is this simply fabrication? Get this guy in front of a committee and under oath and ask him questions. Do the same with Kushner.
26
Investigators have a sequence for interviewing parties.
22
Yes, the last step in an investigation is examination under oath of the party who is the focus of the investigation. Basically don't ask a question of a potentially hostile witness unless you already know the answer. Asking questions of such a witness when you know nothing gets you less than nothing. You only want to get the guy under oath when you have the details and evidence amassed during your investigation so as to ask focused questions so that if he lies he's trapped. Let the FBI do its job. Eventually we can only hope the truth comes out one way or the other.
13
Extremely Dodgy person, he used to own Radio and TV channels in Pakistan in the 1990s, made black money white for Asif Ali Zardari, the spouse of former PM Benazir Bhutto.
17
Pretty standard money-laundering operation, spinning around dirty Ukrainian money, paid in cash to Manafort, in a series of shell companies and real estate deals, using family members as fronts, in order to eventually park it in legit deals and render it clean. Victor Navalny, the anti-corruption candidate who Putin won't allow to run against him, shows very well how this works for Putin and his cronies, in a recent anti-corruption video that shines a bright light on similar deals made by Medvedev: https://fbk.info/english/english/post/304/ This is the playbook used by many oligarchs, including, as Mueller may soon report, Trump and his other dicey associates.
48
A good, succinct description of how it's done. I've often wondered. Thanks.
3
Yup, here's another fine example -- as if Flynn, Trump and many of his cabinet appointees weren't enough -- of how much better it is to have sleazy businessmen heading our government rather than career pols and civil servants who, even when they do cross the corruption border into, almost always do so because they are kowtowing to pressure from the sort of sleazy businessmen we now have as our direct potentates. Hey, at least we cut out the middle men and pulled part of the mask of democracy off the face of the exploitative and crooked capitalism that actually rules America. Shows the great wisdom of the Citizens United ruling as well.
48
The Democratic party was seriously damaged by those who planned the hacking and could lose the election in the next electoral, presidential, mayoral and gubernatorial processes.
8
Sure. Mueller can investigate Manafort.
And Kushner.
And Wilbur Ross.
And Roger Stone.
And Mike Flynn.
And all the rest.
There's a treasure-trove of prosecutorial crimes.
Money laundering.
Tax Fraud.
Conspiracy to commit Tax Fraud.
Obstruction of Justice.
Collusion.
Treason.
The list goes on and on.
But when Trump replaces Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein with one of his own blindly loyal "yes men", McConnell and the Republicans will not lift a finger to stop him.
Until McConnell gets his enormous "Tax Breaks For The Rich" legislation passed, Trump can do or say whatever he wants.
Including destroying any investigations, about Trump.
And Kushner.
And Wilbur Ross.
And Roger Stone.
And Mike Flynn.
And all the rest.
There's a treasure-trove of prosecutorial crimes.
Money laundering.
Tax Fraud.
Conspiracy to commit Tax Fraud.
Obstruction of Justice.
Collusion.
Treason.
The list goes on and on.
But when Trump replaces Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein with one of his own blindly loyal "yes men", McConnell and the Republicans will not lift a finger to stop him.
Until McConnell gets his enormous "Tax Breaks For The Rich" legislation passed, Trump can do or say whatever he wants.
Including destroying any investigations, about Trump.
40
I don't disagree but to replace 'espionage' with 'treason.' Treason demands we be at war and the traitor aid/abet/etc. with the other side.
The Rosenbergs were convicted of espionage.
And don't forget RICO. The feds are pretty good at applying that one to fit a lot of things and it seems apt now.
The Rosenbergs were convicted of espionage.
And don't forget RICO. The feds are pretty good at applying that one to fit a lot of things and it seems apt now.
13
John Doe - That's why we MUST install a Congress that will, as Rep. Schiff said, reenact the Independent Prosecutor statute (which expired in 1999) and appoint Mr. Mueller to the post the moment after Trump cuts him off as Special Prosecutor. Otherwise Trump & Co. will get away with the perfect crime against our country. It's existentially important and therefore eclipses any other issue in all upcoming special elections and in the 2018 general election. And it's why the outcome in Georgia the other day was negligent.
1
or conspiracy.
1
If you were going to ask why a country like Russia would interfere with American politics, look at what the Russian economy is. Russia is a petrostate. It’s the number one gas exporter and number two oil exporter in the world, but its economy is otherwise stagnant and out-of-date.
Those oil and gas assets are controlled by a small number of oligarchs gathered around Putin, the former head of the KGB. Those oligarchs may be the one group of investors who stands to lose the most from the popping of the Carbon Bubble (G7 leaders – Paris Agreement).
Russia’s major national asset is their potential to develop Arctic oil fields opened up by climate change — which won’t happen if investors pull out of oil. If it’s obvious that this oil is unburnable, there’s no point in building all those oil-drilling platforms and pipelines.
But if the perception is that the Carbon Bubble won’t pop for decades, then getting one’s hands on millions of barrels of Arctic oil will pump valuations way up. By one estimate, these oil fields could be worth at least $500 billion.
Now, add in all the other Bubble-expanding projects and ploys, pipelines and hotels, and you begin to see the magnitude of the scam here.
The difference between the Carbon Bubble deflating rapidly now and popping spectacularly in a decade or more could mean literally trillions more dollars in profits for the kind of people now helicopter into Washington.
Those oil and gas assets are controlled by a small number of oligarchs gathered around Putin, the former head of the KGB. Those oligarchs may be the one group of investors who stands to lose the most from the popping of the Carbon Bubble (G7 leaders – Paris Agreement).
Russia’s major national asset is their potential to develop Arctic oil fields opened up by climate change — which won’t happen if investors pull out of oil. If it’s obvious that this oil is unburnable, there’s no point in building all those oil-drilling platforms and pipelines.
But if the perception is that the Carbon Bubble won’t pop for decades, then getting one’s hands on millions of barrels of Arctic oil will pump valuations way up. By one estimate, these oil fields could be worth at least $500 billion.
Now, add in all the other Bubble-expanding projects and ploys, pipelines and hotels, and you begin to see the magnitude of the scam here.
The difference between the Carbon Bubble deflating rapidly now and popping spectacularly in a decade or more could mean literally trillions more dollars in profits for the kind of people now helicopter into Washington.
24
The nagging question is how did Manafort get to be campaign chairman of Trump's campaign? Why was he dumped? There is a connection. I am sure this is all part of the Special Counsel's probe.
23
At this point, Trump can actually hold a press conference and pronounce that he actively connived with Russia to hack American elections; there would be no consequence, and his supporters WILL NOT desert him.
Does anyone doubt this possibility? This is America today, this is today's America. You gotta weep for your country.
Does anyone doubt this possibility? This is America today, this is today's America. You gotta weep for your country.
49
Sad to say but you may well be right on this. I keep wondering if there is any threshold at all at which his supporters would take note. So far I cannot see it.
8
You can see Russia from Alaska.
You can see America from Russian Hill in San Fran which used to belong to Russia until they got cheated out of it by the Americans.
The British made the Charge of the Light Brigade to take Crimea away from Russia.
Manafort helped Russia get Crimea back.
So it goes.
You can see America from Russian Hill in San Fran which used to belong to Russia until they got cheated out of it by the Americans.
The British made the Charge of the Light Brigade to take Crimea away from Russia.
Manafort helped Russia get Crimea back.
So it goes.
5
Manafort also helped to install Viktor Yanukovych, a Russian-backed candidate who fled Ukraine in fear for his life as an angry mob approached his home. So it goes...
3
Various Trump / Russia investigations have been going on for six months now. A few weeks ago Diane Feinstein who sits on the senate intelligence committee told Wolf Blitzer twice there is no evidence. James Clapper said there is no evidence. The various intelligence heads also said there is no evidence. In six months with hundreds of people working on this there is still no evidence. You wonder why there have been thousands of hours of news coverage and thousands of pages of print media that have spent on a Trump / Russia The Sky is Falling story.
3
Interesting that you state three times that "there is no evidence," but never state what there is no evidence of. Well, maybe there is no evidence that trump or his campaign staff DIRECTLY colluded with the Russian government to get trump elected, but there appears to be plenty of evidence that those surrounding trump during the run up to the election made no attempt to not deal financially with Russians of various sorts. Possibly just as bad and of course there is more and more evidence that Russians cyber attacked many of our institutions.
15
Are investigators supposed to release evidence as and when they come by it these days?
5
Yes. And then Sen Feinstein clarified that she meant that there is no evidence available to be seen YET, but that the investigation is just getting started. Mueller hasn't even hired a full staff yet. Documents generated overseas take awhile to get. Forensic accountants and computer experts who are qualified to examine foreign documents and find evidence of things like money laundering aren't people who are prone to "quick and dirty" summaries. It'll come, or it won't, but it's going to take a long time. Likely years. And it'll be worth every penny.
14
Crooks flock to Trump like bugs attracted to lights. In a country so obsessed with wealth, people seek public office hoping to enrich themselves. It's no coincidence that Trump gathered a bunch of Russophiles around him - Paul Manafort, Michael Flynn, Carter Page etc. Has he an explanation for it? Let's hope that Trump could still be found responsible for a series of crimes and misdeeds committed by his associates, even if his fingerprints are not found on the issues that are being investigated by FBI and the special counsel.
26
Guys like Mike Flynn will take the fall for Trump. Loyalty uber alles. Trump will come out smelling like a rose. A tattered, oily, ratty rose, but a rose all the same, unless there isn't enough honor among thieves and some of his bunch flip. Just have to keep following the money.
Subpoena those tax returns!
Subpoena those tax returns!
13
Not so sure about 'loyalty uber alles". Loyalty is a moral virtue. An exploitable virtue, but still it is about something other than oneself. These people are only in for themselves. They would sell each other for dog food if the price were right.
1
It is well-known that none of the major U.S. banks will lend to Trump, many having been burnt by him during his bankruptcies of the 1990s. So it is no surprise that he turned to Russia to find financial backers, something he and his sons have made reference to. But on what terms has the money come, and from whom? What have they demanded in return? As the Trump Organization is privately-owned, it publishes no financial statements, so we cannot get insight into its inner workings. It is possible that it is the largest money-laundering operation for Russian mob money in the United States and Manafort is the bagman -- we just don't know. If that turns out to be the case, I hope the Don gets a very long prison term. I'm counting on the FBI to find out.
79
Conspiracy theories are attractive, on both the right and the left. But there is no evidence that Donald Trump has ever laundered money for the Russian mob. If he had, don't you think we would know that by now?
6
No! It may take many more months to unravel these financial arrangements.
Lock him up Trump for prison 2018
Lock him up Trump for prison 2018
1
reply to John Smithson:
We don't know because we are dealing with one of the slimiest dealers we've met in the White House, since the '70s and even so, RMN did some really good things before he got caught doing bad things.
We don't know because we are dealing with one of the slimiest dealers we've met in the White House, since the '70s and even so, RMN did some really good things before he got caught doing bad things.
2
Trump campaign and Russian hackers severely hurt Clinton and the Democratic party, causing irreversible losses in upcoming election processes
10
When you are on a witch hunt you will find something to accuse someone of. Is this all the FBI has? I thought they were supposed to be finding evidence of Donald Trump colluding with the Russians.
After all, that's what Democrats like my Congresswoman Jackie Spieir have said exists. An "unholy alliance", she says. Investigations need to go on for months and years, she says. Until we get to the bottom, she says.
It looks like the FBI is already scrapping the dregs off the bottom of this barrel. How embarrassing that this is all they have to leak.
After all, that's what Democrats like my Congresswoman Jackie Spieir have said exists. An "unholy alliance", she says. Investigations need to go on for months and years, she says. Until we get to the bottom, she says.
It looks like the FBI is already scrapping the dregs off the bottom of this barrel. How embarrassing that this is all they have to leak.
6
Would you feel the same way if this were President Hillary Clinton being investigated. I should imagine you would be screaming, "LOCK HER UP!!!!!" at the top of your voice.
9
Ask your accountant if he would recommend that you invest a penny in a Manafort proposition.
8
Don't you remember what Bill Clinton was impeached for?
It started with the Whitewater investigation.
It started with the Whitewater investigation.
4
This is a rotten onion than has too many layers.
20
He was getting 10 million a year from a Russian firm close to Putin.
THEN he winds up as one of Trump's surrogates.
You do the math.
THEN he winds up as one of Trump's surrogates.
You do the math.
52
Russia puts the R in RICO and Republican.
36
The commenters here who would like to minimalize these shady dealings, may want to remember the Real Estate deal the Clintons were investigated over. The Whitewater investment they made was for $150 thousand. That investigation cost $39.2 million, and I can't remember one Republican calling to end that.
Given the amount of money, in these dealings, and the use of dummy corporations, off shore banks, known as tax havens, and the investigated individual's connections to adversarial foreign governments, I feel very secure in saying, "Ronald Reagan would want this fully investigated''.
And, even if it involved his beloved Political Party, he was always an American first, he would want this done for the good of his country. He might have said something like, " Well. we'll just have to see where these roads lead US, I may not like, but, this must be done."
Given the amount of money, in these dealings, and the use of dummy corporations, off shore banks, known as tax havens, and the investigated individual's connections to adversarial foreign governments, I feel very secure in saying, "Ronald Reagan would want this fully investigated''.
And, even if it involved his beloved Political Party, he was always an American first, he would want this done for the good of his country. He might have said something like, " Well. we'll just have to see where these roads lead US, I may not like, but, this must be done."
13
Excellent article.
NYT, please continue following the money, and eventually you will catch the "big fish."
NYT, please continue following the money, and eventually you will catch the "big fish."
50
Just like any good prosecutor, Mueller is following where the clues lead him. Flynn has probably already flipped, and once the money trail has been documented, Yohai or Manafort will, too.
Laundering of the Russian Oligarch's money is a probable motive for all of these people, and don't forget, our new Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, was a director of the Bank of Cypress, the favorite of the Russians for moving money out of Russia. Too many circumstantial connections to be purely circumstantial.
Laundering of the Russian Oligarch's money is a probable motive for all of these people, and don't forget, our new Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, was a director of the Bank of Cypress, the favorite of the Russians for moving money out of Russia. Too many circumstantial connections to be purely circumstantial.
56
Thanks for noting the Wilbur Ross connection to the Bank of Cypress. I have been surprised to see nothing about it given that he was a VP and apparently at the same time as some of the Manafort Ukraine money was going in and out.
18
This is not Mueller. It's the FBI.
3
So you don't think this investigation will eventually sync up to Mueller's? I really doubt that.
4
As with his ex-boss, the son-in-law also rises
23
Oh. . . if only the deplorables knew why that is funny.
8
Mentioning Manafort's agreement "with a Russian oligarch" without explaining its stated purpose is grossly misleading. Manafort was expressly working to further the interest of Putin, and received compensation for this work from this Putin proxy. In Manafort's own words, "We are now of the belief that this model [under the proxy agreement] can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success." The effort, Manafort wrote, "will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government. ... We are now of the belief that this model can greatly benefit the Putin Government if employed at the correct levels with the appropriate commitment to success. ... [The effort] will be offering a great service that can re-focus, both internally and externally, the policies of the Putin government.”
We also know that the oligarch, Oleg Deripask, acted as Putin's proxy in actively supported the efforts by pro-Russian separatists in their war to take control of Ukraine.
How effective has Manafort been as Trump's chairman (until the undisclosed Russian lobbying effort was revealed? Trump took Putin's stance on Crimea, Ukraine, Syria, and NATO. How much of this money can be traced to traced to Trump is not known because Manafort was payed through a variety of offshore accounts at banks utilized by drug lords, other money launderers, and other Russian oligarchs.
We also know that the oligarch, Oleg Deripask, acted as Putin's proxy in actively supported the efforts by pro-Russian separatists in their war to take control of Ukraine.
How effective has Manafort been as Trump's chairman (until the undisclosed Russian lobbying effort was revealed? Trump took Putin's stance on Crimea, Ukraine, Syria, and NATO. How much of this money can be traced to traced to Trump is not known because Manafort was payed through a variety of offshore accounts at banks utilized by drug lords, other money launderers, and other Russian oligarchs.
20
Of course. Manafort is a hoodlum, through and through.
He got a job in DC because Trump is comfortable around those types- and would secretly rather be a gangster (or dictator) himself.
He got a job in DC because Trump is comfortable around those types- and would secretly rather be a gangster (or dictator) himself.
39
Given the Trump and his thugs control the Justice Dept., why would Manafort, Flynn or any of the other criminals Trump has employed, fear prosecution?
25
Look up "Watergate" and all of Nixon's hiring and firing of Attorney Generals who must be used to fire Special Prosecutors, because the President can't directly.
And once Nixon found someone who would fire the Special Prosecutor - the country/ public had had enough - left and right- and Congress started articles for impeachment.
30 people in Nixon's cabal were charged with felonies and went to prison.
Trump and his minions are following the same path - but now treason/collusion with a sworn foreign enemy makes this a whole lot worse.
And once Nixon found someone who would fire the Special Prosecutor - the country/ public had had enough - left and right- and Congress started articles for impeachment.
30 people in Nixon's cabal were charged with felonies and went to prison.
Trump and his minions are following the same path - but now treason/collusion with a sworn foreign enemy makes this a whole lot worse.
11
This article is a good example of why I subscribe to the NYT. Very few outlets can do this type of deep reporting, and none do it as well.
137
Really good reporting in the Post today by the Post's national security team: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2017/world/national-security/oba...
3
During the campaign, the Times did a number of long, thorough and in-depth articles that showed what kind of person and businessman Trump really is and always has been...and still he squeaked in. Maybe they need to syndicate their stories more widely.
1
Who knew Ponzi schemes and money laundering were such attractive qualities to Donald Trump? And now, Trump lobbies to have sanctions eased against Russia — Russia, which criminally interfered in our election! So many oligarchs, so many properties, so little time. No, this isn't normal.
44
Investigation piled on to investigations -- Got to keep The Narrative moving!
13
When one dabbles in Russian businesses and cozies up to Russian oligarchs, this is what one may expect. We reap what we sow.
9
The NYT is playing a dangerous game here by constantly presenting anti-Trump gossip. This has been going on for quite some time now and every time it turns out to be false alarm thus making Trump stronger. What is the objective here.
7
"This has been going on for quite some time now and every time it turns out to be false alarm"....Can you give us some examples of these false alarms?
16
Dear Sir: I don't think I read the name you stated in this article, Yet you imply that the newspaper is responsible for slurs against POTUS; it's only his fired former and some Russian scam artists Ponzi scheme builders & real estate types that are involved in this… A real tragedy for some losers it had as investors
8
There are several grammatical errors in Rudolf's post. Here are two.
First, Rudolf writes that "…it turns out to be false alarm…" It should read "a" false alarm.
Second, if he meant his last sentence to be a question, he should have completed the sentence with a question mark.
First, Rudolf writes that "…it turns out to be false alarm…" It should read "a" false alarm.
Second, if he meant his last sentence to be a question, he should have completed the sentence with a question mark.
3
Just follow the money, and the Russian wrapper around it.
39
Isn't this the "Swamp" that Pres. Trump promised to clean up ? Another ugly duplicitous facade that may work in back-room real estate, but not in Federal oversight.
36
I think that when Trump said 'drain the swamp' he meant draining the swamp outside of Washington in to the Whitehouse. Simply put, a 'swamp' transference.
9
Neh. The swamp he whipped up the deplorables about draining is filled with career public servants. He wants to drain THAT swamp so he can fill it with billionaire money launderers who admire the likes of Vladimir Putin.
10
I've been writing for close to a year on Manafort's Ukrainian/Russian dealings, many of which certainly involved illegalities and helped to advance Putin's agenda at the expense American interests, Ukrainian sovereignty, and investor's money. Some fit into a pattern of laundering Russian money linked to Putin and/or the Russian mafia that fit a number of Trump's own business deals, as I note in my recent article here:https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/trump-biggest-scandal-us-history-he-tool-... The media keeps missing this bigger-picture pattern and there are even more ties to be discussed in a future piece.
23
This is a good piece however none of this is a surprise. The apparent unabashed corruption that is increasingly clear and with investigations are likely to bring up new questions and persons of interest.
The oligarchs are a serous web and neglected in the press. They are arms dealers, oil thugs and have KGB ties of the first order. Putin is King of Russia and the KGB. The Ukrainian aspect of this is directly tied to Russia. The roots and web goes deep. Trump investors and relationships as they will likely find here, involve some of the same or related bad actors, (phras meaning evil players) and there will be oligarchs in NY mega apartments, LLCs, off shore companies paying no tax and other hokus pokus as things unfold with these investigations. Keep in mind that the integrity of the United States is on the line. If the business adage of "he who has the most money for power lawyers will win" as reflected in Donald Trump business dealings then our nation will lose. Manafort is he tip of the iceberg. Trump emoluments violations are a likely quid pro quo of Trump decisions with China, Saudi Arabia, Russia and more. He's a guy who thinks a "good guy" like he called Flynn is anyone of use and personal loyalty. Federal employee Ivanka and son inlaw Kushner's China 150 mil real estate deal pitched in China directly after their visit. Manafort like Trump doesn't pass the smell test.
The oligarchs are a serous web and neglected in the press. They are arms dealers, oil thugs and have KGB ties of the first order. Putin is King of Russia and the KGB. The Ukrainian aspect of this is directly tied to Russia. The roots and web goes deep. Trump investors and relationships as they will likely find here, involve some of the same or related bad actors, (phras meaning evil players) and there will be oligarchs in NY mega apartments, LLCs, off shore companies paying no tax and other hokus pokus as things unfold with these investigations. Keep in mind that the integrity of the United States is on the line. If the business adage of "he who has the most money for power lawyers will win" as reflected in Donald Trump business dealings then our nation will lose. Manafort is he tip of the iceberg. Trump emoluments violations are a likely quid pro quo of Trump decisions with China, Saudi Arabia, Russia and more. He's a guy who thinks a "good guy" like he called Flynn is anyone of use and personal loyalty. Federal employee Ivanka and son inlaw Kushner's China 150 mil real estate deal pitched in China directly after their visit. Manafort like Trump doesn't pass the smell test.
21
No matter whom the FBI eventually nabs in this expanding scandal, Trump will pardon each and every one, until his impeachment.
25
Then Pence will pardon Trump.
There has always been suspicion regarding most of the mega-million dollar real estate deals happening in London, New York City, LA, etc... These have been transactions involving questionable characters - Russian billionaires, Chinese billionaires and politically connected types, and other representatives of autocrats, drug dealers and money launderers. It is difficult to have had the kind of dealings Mr. Trump and his company had without getting ensnared in one or more of these deals. Mr. Trump is not hiding his tax returns because he did not pay taxes (he would have had to pay the AMT at least for most years), he is doing it to protect himself from inevitable scandal.
We as a people need to stop making this SEEM like a war on Mr. Trump and instead focus on what is really going on, how it could damage our national interest and act in a calm and responsible manner to get to the Truth. All of this tendency for drama and hype is very harmful to the hard work being done by the FBI and other agencies to investigate wrongdoing and enforce the law. We need to not be so loud in taking sides, whether it be Mrs. Clinton's emails or Mr. Trump multitude of "deals". We need to behave like grown up citizens of a grown up democracy. Cheers.
We as a people need to stop making this SEEM like a war on Mr. Trump and instead focus on what is really going on, how it could damage our national interest and act in a calm and responsible manner to get to the Truth. All of this tendency for drama and hype is very harmful to the hard work being done by the FBI and other agencies to investigate wrongdoing and enforce the law. We need to not be so loud in taking sides, whether it be Mrs. Clinton's emails or Mr. Trump multitude of "deals". We need to behave like grown up citizens of a grown up democracy. Cheers.
23
Mueller and others are focused on what is really going on. The drama and hype does not shape their day nor harm their work. Focus and skill is what they have. Keep the faith.
14
The drama and noise and hype of which you speak is righteous fear and anger, and it's about time it got expressed in every media outlet that exists. If it looks like a war on Trump, so be it; we ourselves waged wars for less noble causes.
I suspect Mr Trump IS hiding his tax returns because he didn't pay all the taxes required by law, or because his net worth is actually closer to zero than to the billions he claims--he doesn't want us to know that the emperor has no clothes.
I suspect Mr Trump IS hiding his tax returns because he didn't pay all the taxes required by law, or because his net worth is actually closer to zero than to the billions he claims--he doesn't want us to know that the emperor has no clothes.
9
I just wish that could conceivably make a difference to his supporters. They are suffering from impenetrable wilful blindness.
When Lincoln comes back from the dead he gonna knock them all in the head (with apologies to Mojo Nixon aka Neil Kirby McMillan).
5
Manafort company has been doing shady business with Russia and many other countries. Why FBI , IRS and other Intel agencies do not know anything about it?
How many crooks are there like him? Some of these activities may be treasonous. Russia is defeating us in cyber wars constantly.
How many crooks are there like him? Some of these activities may be treasonous. Russia is defeating us in cyber wars constantly.
20
I believe Bob Mueller now has the authority and the motivation to dig hard and get to something close to the bottom of it all. I hope he does. It'd be great to free up some of the billions or trillions of dollars for the rest of the law-abiding world.
7
My dream headline: "trump Indicted for 20yr Russian Money Laundering Scheme: Manafort at the Center"
35
Wait...what? The actor (Dustin Hoffman) who played a real-life reporter (Carl Bernstein) investigating a real-life presidential scandal may now be tied up in a real-life presidential scandal of his own? The relevance of the phrase "You can't make this stuff up" to the era of Trump continues to get better and better.
19
Not at all. He's among other bilked investors not a part of the biz. Like a Madoff victim.
14
I believe the implication is that Dustin Hoffman is a victim, not a participant in the scheme.
10
I felt the article was appropriately (at this time) vague as to whether Hoffman was a victim or participant. For example, it pointed out "A representative for the Hoffmans did not respond to a request for comment.", from which I suppose everyone can draw their own inferences.
'Bout time ! Should be a short and easy investigation. He works for Twit 140, doesn't he ???? End of story......
4
Russian Mafia Money Laundering Club. Trump, Manafort and Kushner are charter members.
41
Thank you for including Jared Kushner as a ...Charter member, because you are the first one in this commentary. Mind you Kushner is a good friend of another Russian
oligarch Mr. Abramowich.
What is a 36 years old real estate tycoon, of very modest education and experience
doing as an advisor in the WH,but to promote his own and his extended family's
predatory financial interests.
For the shake of securing investments and loans you can find him in Russia,China and yes ,Saudi Arabia
If and when the veil of all this is lifted,Mr. Kushner we be at the center of it, just follow the money trail.
Isn't it sad that such people make decisions about our lives, as if we have voted for them !
Don't you think that your daughter or you son, that you so hard worked to educate and instill honest ethics in their development, deserve more to have a saying in our
politics, than the one whose father was jailed for real estate fraud and bought his
son a Harvard entrance for 2.5 M, for a degree in....Social Sciences,while Jarred
at the same time was dealing Real Estate ?
r
oligarch Mr. Abramowich.
What is a 36 years old real estate tycoon, of very modest education and experience
doing as an advisor in the WH,but to promote his own and his extended family's
predatory financial interests.
For the shake of securing investments and loans you can find him in Russia,China and yes ,Saudi Arabia
If and when the veil of all this is lifted,Mr. Kushner we be at the center of it, just follow the money trail.
Isn't it sad that such people make decisions about our lives, as if we have voted for them !
Don't you think that your daughter or you son, that you so hard worked to educate and instill honest ethics in their development, deserve more to have a saying in our
politics, than the one whose father was jailed for real estate fraud and bought his
son a Harvard entrance for 2.5 M, for a degree in....Social Sciences,while Jarred
at the same time was dealing Real Estate ?
r
13
Read about Manafort's past also. It is ugly. Keep following the money.
25
Let's not forget that Manafort, who was in business with several of the biggest kleptocrats in history, was chosen by Trump to lead his campaign. Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas is the appropriate analogy.
It will be interesting to see who among the known list of Trumpsters who dealt with the Russians will be willing to take a prison sentence rather than rat out their buddy Donald should any of the allegations against them prove to be criminal.
It will be interesting to see who among the known list of Trumpsters who dealt with the Russians will be willing to take a prison sentence rather than rat out their buddy Donald should any of the allegations against them prove to be criminal.
29
Suspect Mike Flynn's first in line.
8
The FBI investigation into Manafort's shady dealings reveals just one more tangent of the vast international criminal syndicate currently being run out of the Oval Office, overseen by the slimiest mobster of them all, Donald "Puffy Pants" Trump. When are the feds going to arrest this felon — Trump — and put an end to this long national nightmare?
28
When they have enough evidence to convince a grand jury to indict, and then enough to convict. They won't arrest him until they can make their case. Could be awhile.
8
Number 1: we the people have to decide/commit to a simple principle: if stealing $100 by snatch'n'grab from an all night convenience store gets you 3-5 in state prison, then stealing $11M by fraudulent dealing gets you a) 3-5 'cuz that what thieves get b) gets you life because that's an general multiplier based on the size of the time approximates the size of the crime c) an erasable mark on your record because we need creative thinking and white people don't deserve prison or d) depends on who ya know
24
Melquiades,
Excellent.
Excellent.
3
Great scandal stuff but rather meaningless with regard to Trump - Russia electoral collusion. Give it up folks, no impact whatsoever as seen in the recent special congressional elections. Feverish lefties may try to keep this thing on the front burner, but the broad electorate has moved on. Even Hollywood has lost it's mojo; e.g. Johnny Depp it-s latest embarrassment.
4
Wrong BD, the broad electorate has not 'moved on'.
Trump has 36% or so approval rating.
Trump got only about 26% of registered voters in 2016. That equals to about 18% of the U.S. population.
He does not have broad support among the general populace.
Most Americans, when they finally are presented with all the illegal or quasi illegal stuff Trump has been involved with for decades, as well as since he announced his candidacy will be happy to see him go....
Trump has 36% or so approval rating.
Trump got only about 26% of registered voters in 2016. That equals to about 18% of the U.S. population.
He does not have broad support among the general populace.
Most Americans, when they finally are presented with all the illegal or quasi illegal stuff Trump has been involved with for decades, as well as since he announced his candidacy will be happy to see him go....
6
I think I follow you: Russia helped Trump, Trump hired Manafraud to MANAGE his campaign, Manafort had to leave because it became public that he had worked for Putin's puppet, Trump shows no interest in getting to the bottom of the Russia story, now they are investigating Manafort's finances, but it has nothing to do with the Russia investigation. Thanks for clearing that up.
17
No one is giving it up. It took 26 months to nail Nixon. Freedom of the press and strong American legal and decision-making institutions are doing fine.
Ultimately, the truth wins, even if great damage is done by the "broad electorate", in desperation as they did under Hitler, many of whom rarely vote, spend most of their time talking on FB.
It's not about "feverish lefties" or Alt-Right extremists. It's about what kind of country do we really want to be? An oligarchy or a democracy? Time will tell. Read history, take a longer view.
Ultimately, the truth wins, even if great damage is done by the "broad electorate", in desperation as they did under Hitler, many of whom rarely vote, spend most of their time talking on FB.
It's not about "feverish lefties" or Alt-Right extremists. It's about what kind of country do we really want to be? An oligarchy or a democracy? Time will tell. Read history, take a longer view.
17
Swimming naked in Warren Buffet's metaphorical pool?
If there is someone to be flipped, it is Manafort. I suspect he knows more than Flynn, Flynn was quite new to Russia meddling. Both, however, could have been involved in nefarious activity with the Russians.
23
The Trumpsters may not have colluded with the Russians to tip the election, but there is no doubt they colluded with Russians (and Iranians and Azerbaijanis) to launder money. This is what Trump is trying to hide. It's also why he has refused to release his taxes.
205
Trump announced first fund raisers for 2020. That will coupled with investments in his companies. Quid pro quo. Weaken Americans health and sell the country for personal gain.
11
Remember when, seemingly out of nowhere, Trump brought in Manafort to run his struggling campaign, replacing Corey Lewandowski? True, Manafort had some political experience, but not ever at the Presidential level, and the reaction from those who do know politics was a general "Who?"
Of all the potential campaign managers in this country, veterans with real experience and the right chops to run a high stakes election campaign, how did Manafort rise to the top? And looking back, why was he brought onboard with no vetting? Sheer incompetence on the part of the campaign? Or was Manafort pretty much assigned to Trump by his Russian oligarch pals and clients?
It's a question I think more and more about with every passing day.
Of all the potential campaign managers in this country, veterans with real experience and the right chops to run a high stakes election campaign, how did Manafort rise to the top? And looking back, why was he brought onboard with no vetting? Sheer incompetence on the part of the campaign? Or was Manafort pretty much assigned to Trump by his Russian oligarch pals and clients?
It's a question I think more and more about with every passing day.
185
And don't forget that Manafort offered his services for FREE to the Trump campaign…very odd.
12
Maybe not a spy, maybe not an agent (we'll see) but it looks clearer and clearer that he was sent on a professional mission to do what he was well-known for doing - put a politician in office and collect favors afterward. With all that mysterious money flowing through Cyprus and Hollywood, it's not hard to imagine who his real paying client was.
17
"how did Manafort rise to the top?"
I don't doubt Trump's Russian financers steered him to Manafort but it's also not such a surprise for him to pop up there because no reputable people have ever wanted anything to do with Trump. A big vacuum there waiting for somebody (like Putin) to put the right candidate in front of him.
I don't doubt Trump's Russian financers steered him to Manafort but it's also not such a surprise for him to pop up there because no reputable people have ever wanted anything to do with Trump. A big vacuum there waiting for somebody (like Putin) to put the right candidate in front of him.
11
Interesting how ONE bad decidion can bring bring the structure down. It is all going to lead back to trump. Russian money, and hopefully LONG jail sentences--assuming of course that along the way, they don't wind up with a leg full of plutonium. when one is desperate--like trump and manafort--you start making shady deals.
32
Reallly? We now have Dustin Hoffman connected to the Russia/Trump investigation. This is like the Six Degrees of Seperation Kevin Bacon game. Everybody is connected to the Trumo/Russia investigation somehow.
4
I am connected as an interested observer awaiting the issuance of subpoenas and drafting articles of impeachment; I await with interest the details of plea agreements and/or subsequent trials in criminal court and the Senate of this country.
12
I interpreted that to mean that Dustin Hoffman was bilked--like the Bernie Madoff investors--not that he was one of the bad guys. No?
6
Crooks like Manafort and Flynn should be on trial.
20
Russian banks, free money, Trump recouping on campaign finances, business loans, you name it. The Russian connection is not about hacking, that was a gift.
51
I think the "collusion" wasn't collusion at all, but rather, an autonomous decision of Russian intel to try to push a man they knew they could blackmail over the finish line.
Allegations that Trump was an asset of Russian Intelligence, providing information about Russian ex-pats, are included in the Steele dossier. One of Trump's casinos has already been paid an 8-figure fine related to improper cash dealings with Russians. Trump made a $40+ MILLION profit flipping a Florida mansion to a well-connected Russian kleptocrat. Junior has already owned up that Russians "make up a pretty disproportionate" share of the Trump Company's revenue.
Come on, Mueller. Get the tax returns and the rest of the financials. Find the offshore bankaccounts. Donald Trump is a felon and his criminal enterprise is ongoing. Russia is blackmailing him, pulling his strings from Moscow. Which is the reason for Jared's attempted "back channel" running through secure RUSSIAN communication channels.
Allegations that Trump was an asset of Russian Intelligence, providing information about Russian ex-pats, are included in the Steele dossier. One of Trump's casinos has already been paid an 8-figure fine related to improper cash dealings with Russians. Trump made a $40+ MILLION profit flipping a Florida mansion to a well-connected Russian kleptocrat. Junior has already owned up that Russians "make up a pretty disproportionate" share of the Trump Company's revenue.
Come on, Mueller. Get the tax returns and the rest of the financials. Find the offshore bankaccounts. Donald Trump is a felon and his criminal enterprise is ongoing. Russia is blackmailing him, pulling his strings from Moscow. Which is the reason for Jared's attempted "back channel" running through secure RUSSIAN communication channels.
28
Liars, crooks and thieves led by an uninformed, sycophant, narcissist who has no regard for the Constitution and the foundations of our democracy. God help us all.
40
Mr. Manafort, Mr. Yohai and Mr. Trump all violate the Grandmother Rule, namely this: act in such a manner that if all were known about you and your actions, your grandmother would not be ashamed.
14
"Grandmother Rule"? These are guys who would scam their own grandmothers.
21
call it an attractive nuisance and call the City.
3
Hard to feel sorry for the naive wealthy taken by other wealthy sharks. Manafort has an ugly history... but what I really want to know is if/when/how any of this Russian money- or promises for future deals and preferential treatment of Russian interests- intersected with Trump's campaign. It won't matter of course. Russia could have provided direct funds to the campaign and Manafort and others would take the fall. Trump will claim he had 'no idea.'
33
Pat,
I don't want to be condescending but I believe there was never any quid pro quo here. Trump was deemed a poor credit risk by American and European banks and funds, hard to imagine why, but he was and the Russian oligarchs rushed in with funds to buy and finance Trump properties. Donny Jr. and Eric run off at the mouth about it all the time.
It may be what you ". . . really want to know . . ." but care has been taken to make sure there is no there there.
If Trump messes up, he'll find Ivanka on the pavement in front of Trump Tower.
I don't want to be condescending but I believe there was never any quid pro quo here. Trump was deemed a poor credit risk by American and European banks and funds, hard to imagine why, but he was and the Russian oligarchs rushed in with funds to buy and finance Trump properties. Donny Jr. and Eric run off at the mouth about it all the time.
It may be what you ". . . really want to know . . ." but care has been taken to make sure there is no there there.
If Trump messes up, he'll find Ivanka on the pavement in front of Trump Tower.
6
John,
I harbor fears that you're correct. Part of me thinks he's just too stupid and self-absorbed to play at that high a level, and that he doesn't even understand that he's been taken for a fool. Which extends nicely to his deplorables--they don't get it, either.
I harbor fears that you're correct. Part of me thinks he's just too stupid and self-absorbed to play at that high a level, and that he doesn't even understand that he's been taken for a fool. Which extends nicely to his deplorables--they don't get it, either.
1
The Republicans couldn't have asked for a better choice for President. As the scandals unfold, they are busy passing or repealing laws that never would have gotten past square one otherwise. Keep the attention on the Trump show, but watch what the Republicans do to America. We will only know the full meaning of Republican power plays after the smoke clears and the mirrors are shattered.
40
Had Hilary or Obama been involved in only one Trump-like scandal, the GOP would be indignant, holding dozens of Benghazi-like hearings... but now they are totally silent about Donald and his dangerous cronies. Have they no moral fiber about protecting our country?
52
It's going to be some book that somebody writes in six or seven years when all this gets unwound. I wonder if we'll still be a country then.
37
Something that's also suspicious about Manafort is the circumstance which he was hired to become Trump's campaign manager.
Corey Lewindowski was fired after grabbing a female reporter at a Trump rally, but she worked for Breitbart, which seems in retrospect to be very suspect, as if it was a set up to bring in Manafort without arousing suspicion.
Corey Lewindowski was fired after grabbing a female reporter at a Trump rally, but she worked for Breitbart, which seems in retrospect to be very suspect, as if it was a set up to bring in Manafort without arousing suspicion.
31
Sounds to me like all their activity is designed to launder money from Ukraine and possibly Russian sources. They make all the transactions so complex, moving them from one shell company to another, that it is extremely difficult to 'follow the money' and determine who is involved. I am quite sure Manaford's fees are based on the amount of money he can launder for these folks.
Our nation cannot survive as a Constitutional democracy with these kind of people running our government. We need sane, centrist Republicans to primary all the tainted ones currently in office so that we can restore the Rule of Law before it's too late.
11
The main reason it could never survive as a "Constitutional democracy" is because that is not our form of governance. The United States was founded as a Constitutional Republic, is a Republic, and will continue to be a Republic even though the radical left might think otherwise...
Neither Centrist or other Republicans or Democrats. When are we going to make it
possible for an Independent Honest and Charismatic leader ? One that is not owned
by the Party and the the financial interests of the Plutocrats.
So far our voting preferences have replaced Meritocracy with Kleptocracy, that rules
our institutions and our life.
possible for an Independent Honest and Charismatic leader ? One that is not owned
by the Party and the the financial interests of the Plutocrats.
So far our voting preferences have replaced Meritocracy with Kleptocracy, that rules
our institutions and our life.
1
The framers never imagined there'd be 50 states with the wide variation in interests, economic strength, values, or natural resources, either.
2
Bernie Madoff could have, and should have, been caught early in his Ponzi scheme. Harry Markopolous called the SEC, arguing that Madoff's results were provably not mathematically possible. SEC regulators on routine checks never followed up anything. Even as simple as checking the bogus trading account numbers. In the Ames spying case, he explained his sudden wealth by saying it was an inheritance. Again nobody checked. The tools are available, but what we get instead is the appearance of regulation, the appearance of law enforcement. If the mafias exist in Russia because it is a corrupt state, they flourish here because tolerate the corruption of guys in suits. A difference of degree not substance.
30
Loose money, loose records, real estate shell game loans. Sounds like something our president would be deeply involved in.
18
Paul Manafort has never shied away from a good scheme. Or a great dictator. Hey, he's got to earn a living right? Always just within a thread's width of the law using off shore accounts and lots of shell companies.
Manafort is just one piece of the whole Russian thing. Money motives work for Putin, Manafort and Trump. They can never be too greedy. Cyprus/Russian banks with Wilbur Ross as Director further muddy the waters.
What is not clear is how this all comes together with the cyber campaign waged by Putin. Who gave the Russians the locations of Democratic districts to hack their voting records? Who helped Russia with all the cyber data bot dumps?
Robert Mercer via his company Cambridge Analytica?
What is becoming increasingly clear is that so many of Trump's "chums" have so many and varied ties to Russians that the FBI and Mueller will need a long time to line up all the dots.
Manafort is just one piece of the whole Russian thing. Money motives work for Putin, Manafort and Trump. They can never be too greedy. Cyprus/Russian banks with Wilbur Ross as Director further muddy the waters.
What is not clear is how this all comes together with the cyber campaign waged by Putin. Who gave the Russians the locations of Democratic districts to hack their voting records? Who helped Russia with all the cyber data bot dumps?
Robert Mercer via his company Cambridge Analytica?
What is becoming increasingly clear is that so many of Trump's "chums" have so many and varied ties to Russians that the FBI and Mueller will need a long time to line up all the dots.
25
Tony Soprano wouldn't have anything to do with Paul Manafort. Or Donald Trump.
2
Real estate is, by it's nature a suspect business. It invites, now it encourages insider trading, the buying and selling of of influence. Dig, heck, scratch deep enough and you will find graft and corruption. And the bigger the fish the closer to certainty the chances of illegality.
Has Trump broken the law? Did the sun come up today? His associates? Do the math. If I could bet on the outcome of an honest investigation I'd wager my house.
It's all he know, it's how his world works. He's in a clown car headed towards a cliff, unfortunately the country is belted in the back seat. And the doors are welded shut.
Has Trump broken the law? Did the sun come up today? His associates? Do the math. If I could bet on the outcome of an honest investigation I'd wager my house.
It's all he know, it's how his world works. He's in a clown car headed towards a cliff, unfortunately the country is belted in the back seat. And the doors are welded shut.
18
Manafort was not elected to any office; he has for decades just skulked around the perifery, earning commissions for the curying of favor. he was a well known DC op during the Reagan and Ford years, in partnership with Charlie Black and Anne (formerly Mrs. Roger) Stone, disciple of Richard Vigurrie who figured out how to use the PO and statistics to con the rubes.
just remember, you can't chat an honest man, as. the great philosopher W. C. Fields once said. so if Manafort has been fleeced by his former son-in-law, he invited the wolf to his table.
just remember, you can't chat an honest man, as. the great philosopher W. C. Fields once said. so if Manafort has been fleeced by his former son-in-law, he invited the wolf to his table.
9
If you want to get into the local, Brooklyn, weeds in Mr. Manafort's garden, check out this wonderful Brooklyn blogger who was on the trail in February:
https://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2017/02/washington-lobbyist-and-t...
https://pardonmeforasking.blogspot.com/2017/02/washington-lobbyist-and-t...
8
So, Trump surrounds himself with sleazy real estate people like himself.
Nothing new here.
Thank you for investigating this, F.B.I.
Nothing new here.
Thank you for investigating this, F.B.I.
6
The witch hunt has found yet another alleged witch. Is it a coven yet?
7
witch hunters set out
the baying of hounds raises hope
nothing found but tails
the baying of hounds raises hope
nothing found but tails
1
Witch hunt as in which scofflaw will be indicted first.
2
One of the real estate holdings of manafort's son in law is a luxury "sober living" facility in bel air. California called "fourth dimension", a reference to the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous. He fills the house with struggling addicts and those in early recovery with little supervision or consequences for relapse behaviors. What a shady bunch. Check it out, all you reporter sleuths and while you're at it, blow the lid off the whole industry.
17
I recognize that the Times wants to print whatever can make it look like it has important sources, but frankly, this is all pretty routine stuff.
Almost nay investigation gets into financial records. The Times got all excited to report that Kushner's records were being sought. It means nothing. Completely normal part of any investigation.
The records may yield a goose egg may yield other leads, may yield something interesting. Until the facts are finally determined, this is gossip, not reporting.
The Times has had some pretty breathless headlines lately, and given Comey's rebuke of a "major" Times story that was totally false, you'd think they might be more cautious. But as they say, power begets arrogance.
Almost nay investigation gets into financial records. The Times got all excited to report that Kushner's records were being sought. It means nothing. Completely normal part of any investigation.
The records may yield a goose egg may yield other leads, may yield something interesting. Until the facts are finally determined, this is gossip, not reporting.
The Times has had some pretty breathless headlines lately, and given Comey's rebuke of a "major" Times story that was totally false, you'd think they might be more cautious. But as they say, power begets arrogance.
6
Heard of forensic accounting? Mueller's got at least five on staff already.
2
What slimy people. There was always an air of sleaze hanging about Manafort when he was Trump's campaign manager. His appearances on Meet the Press and other news shows always included an element of slime.
May he get what he deserves.
May he get what he deserves.
15
Not to be quick to judge, and you'd think it's a political conspiracy, but the common thread seems to be a simpler case of kleptocracy. So many people, having watched and pined for Robin Leach's "Life Styles of the Rich and Famous", are milking our society and government for whatever they can get, and damned the social, economic and environmental consequences (which are meaningless them to). They then sequester themselves in their moated palaces and gated communities, all bolstered by empty and often specious political and religious sloganeering to ensure their political power through a weird coalition of millions of suckers, racists, theocratic dogmatists, and Milton Friedman or Birch Society wannabes whose common thread seems to be WIIFM, and take the money and run. This whole mindset has to be addressed by the so-called "resistance".
9
You lie down with dogs, Mr. President, you wake up with fleas.
9
Among the criminal class it is very common that a con-man cons another con-man. It's akin the relationships among drug dealers and organized crime types.
14
Wow! Manafort being swindled by his son-in-law. You would think he would know a con-artist when he saw one after all his time hanging around with Russian oligarchs. But it sounds like he got sucked in to his son-in-law's fraudulent business. It does all sound like the Russian mafia. Trump certainly has a lot of interesting friends.
65
You mean you would think he knew a con-artist after he saw one when looking in the mirror...
7
It is possible that Trump was conned by Manafort and did not know of his past real estate deals or Russian connections.
I think the son-in-law is a front for Manafort. That' the point of him now knowing when his corporation was incorporated (you have to sign those papers if you're an officer) or who was writing the website, including his own biography!
3
While "following the money" is the prescribed and necessary course here, all too often the details of such are too complex for the majority of folks. Allows for the seeding of doubts by those with much to lose here. Time is of the essence.
25
Is it any wonder that corruption follows these people around when their primary way of making a living is to rip off everyone else in shady real estate dealings, Ponzi schemes, and lawsuits? What an unlawful playbook to live by. Now, it's time for them to pay up.
105
Manafort owns a brownstown in carroll gardensm brooklyn that has been in disrepair for years. It was being renovated and then the work stopped abruptly, and now is just sitting there.
24
Are you sure Manafort owns it? Or is Jared the landlord, trying to evict his rent-controlled tenant???
6
Plus he got a loan for over double what he paid for the brownstone. How can bank do that?? Money laundering..!
5
So what does that have to do with this?
Anyone who needs shell companies in Belize and Cyprus is up to no good. Remember Al Gore in the 1990s just kept his money in a low interest savings account to avoid even the appearance of impropriety? I'm not a big Al Gore fan (and who knows what he's up to now financially), but is it too much to expect our elected officials actually don't have conflicts of interest?
109
Is Mr. Manafort's son in law an elected official ?
2
In view of Manafort's dealings with Russia and Ukraine in the past, maybe there is also a Manafort connection between the Russian hacking of the US elections and the prolific hacking by Russia of everything in Ukraine--from economic functioning to political institutions.
7
All fake news, right? Because otherwise, it would appear that Mr. Trump has many associates that have questionable ethics; and covert communications with Russia. Seems to be a pattern. He certainly can put together a GREAT managerial team. Not to worry though, it's just business.
52
All these shell companies were all legally set up, so what's the problem how they're shuffled about? The huckster at the carnival isn't a crook just because he can move the one around with the pea under it faster than our eyes can follow, he's just good at the game and gets to take our money for it. It's hard to imagine the paid cop standing right next to the shell game's booth is going to be very sympathetic to sore losers who they feel should have known better after being taken.
7
The suit asserted that Mr. Yohai employed a “web of dozens of limited liability companies” to repay early investors with money from new investors to create the illusion of a “quick and large return on their investments.” ==> Heard of Bernie Madoff?
"Many of Mr. Manafort’s real estate purchases over the years coincided with his long-running work as a political consultant to the Russia-backed Party of Regions in Ukraine. During his time there, Mr. Manafort used a network of shell companies in the tax havens of Cyprus and Belize to move money around and collect payments from clients, who, in addition to the Ukrainians, included Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch with whom Mr. Manafort partnered in investments." ==> When oligarch money is involved, the odds are good that money laundering is going on.
"Many of Mr. Manafort’s real estate purchases over the years coincided with his long-running work as a political consultant to the Russia-backed Party of Regions in Ukraine. During his time there, Mr. Manafort used a network of shell companies in the tax havens of Cyprus and Belize to move money around and collect payments from clients, who, in addition to the Ukrainians, included Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch with whom Mr. Manafort partnered in investments." ==> When oligarch money is involved, the odds are good that money laundering is going on.
1
I think the son-in-law is a "Catspaw" for Manafort. Shell games are usually frauds. The "dealer" slides the shell out of the pea so you cannot win. After you make your erroneous choice he/she slides it back in for the "reveal."
3
All these stories about Manafort, Kushner, Trump have one thing in common: real estate investments and dealings. Often they involve bankruptcy, financial problems, transactional irregularities. Americans should have learned after 2008 that the real estate business and the lending that go with it are the dark underbelly of finance.
Now we have a real estate developer as President. He treats politics like a flim-flam sales pitch. No good can come of this or of his presidency, and I hope Congress will remove him. I wish it wouldn't take so much time, but when it all comes out, we'll understand what Donald Trump is all about. It won't be pretty.
Now we have a real estate developer as President. He treats politics like a flim-flam sales pitch. No good can come of this or of his presidency, and I hope Congress will remove him. I wish it wouldn't take so much time, but when it all comes out, we'll understand what Donald Trump is all about. It won't be pretty.
227
You forgot one other common thread... Russians.
11
Tony Soprano was into commercial real estate development , too.
12
We from NY have known for a long time.
3
Is there some kind of document that shows Trump asking help from Putin? Would someone ask Putin if Trump asked Trump for help to win the election?
Yeah, I can't believe there isn't a formal request written, signed, notarized exposing the financial ties between Trump and Russian investors. Because Russia has always been strong allies, friends, supporters, and admirers of not only our economics but also our politics. And we theirs, of course. We DO know Trump had run through domestic investors, because of his shameless financial carelessness.
3
Hard to know what documents the FBI or NSA or CIA have at the moment, but I would bet the whole thing will turn of money laundering which IS provable and will actually send people to prison. A crime of fraud will certainly force congrees to impeach and the trumps will go to jail along will all the other members of their circle.
10
There is a report today in which the intelligence agencies have reported that Putin directed the hacks of democrats in ways that would help Trump get elected. Did Trump ask for this help? Probably not. But I have a pencil, and I can draw lines between Putin, Sergey Gorkov the Russian banker connected to Putin, and Jared Kushner the son-in-law of Trump, without much effort and, quite frankly, I don't like what I see. Was Kushner colluding with Putin? Probably not. But had he secured a loan with Gorkov, I have no doubt he would have been manipulated by Putin, through Gorkov, and Trump through Kushner. Always follow the money. It's usually a good map to all the "who's" and "how's" of Putin's power.
8
The guy receives millions (off the books) from a Russian-backed Party in Ukraine and Russian oligarchs, then, "...back in the United States, Mr. Manafort created still more shell companies to make cash purchases of expensive properties for millions of dollars and other investments."
First: No wonder the FBI is investigating.
Second: It's impossible to believe Candidate Trump and his campaign did not know of all this. And had no problem with it...as long as it was kept secret. This would also explain why President Trump is so nervous about this investigation.
First: No wonder the FBI is investigating.
Second: It's impossible to believe Candidate Trump and his campaign did not know of all this. And had no problem with it...as long as it was kept secret. This would also explain why President Trump is so nervous about this investigation.
168
The continued investigations of Trump's associates, of Trump himself and of Trump's family are expectable. In America, as in Turkey and Hungary, authoritarian plutocracy and kleptocracy are the wave of the future. Democracy here, as elsewhere, is in rapid retreat—and so many members of the “demos” couldn’t care less.
For years the GOP has been a demagogic party and its politicians, by and large, vassals to its plutocratic donor-lords.
Chiefly due to the Republicans' dependence on donor dollars and their ideological rigidity, the majority of U.S. citizens are now subject to “competitive authoritarian rule,” a polarized system in which the major parties compete for donor dollars and base support and, when in power, impose the policies favored by donors and base on the country as a whole--a system wherein democratic institutions are severely weakened--a system wherein government officials abuse state power to aid their allies and disadvantage their adversaries—a system in which the considered preferences of the majority of citizens are ignored and abuses of power go well beyond those associated with traditional patronage.
"The Party of Lincoln"—under the leadership of McConnell, Ryan and Trump—is now doing its very best to see that government of, by and for the people shall perish from the face of this earth.
The Republicans will do all that is in their power to remove the "competitive" from "competitive authoritarianism."
For years the GOP has been a demagogic party and its politicians, by and large, vassals to its plutocratic donor-lords.
Chiefly due to the Republicans' dependence on donor dollars and their ideological rigidity, the majority of U.S. citizens are now subject to “competitive authoritarian rule,” a polarized system in which the major parties compete for donor dollars and base support and, when in power, impose the policies favored by donors and base on the country as a whole--a system wherein democratic institutions are severely weakened--a system wherein government officials abuse state power to aid their allies and disadvantage their adversaries—a system in which the considered preferences of the majority of citizens are ignored and abuses of power go well beyond those associated with traditional patronage.
"The Party of Lincoln"—under the leadership of McConnell, Ryan and Trump—is now doing its very best to see that government of, by and for the people shall perish from the face of this earth.
The Republicans will do all that is in their power to remove the "competitive" from "competitive authoritarianism."
79
Andrew -- you express our diagnosis and fears very precisely. Thanks.
4
the POTTY of Lincoln started to swirl when Reagan got elected--it has been long in the process. And, 30 million apparently think drumpf is "doing well by doing "good"". I doubt that even Glinda could wave her wand and fix this. We are headed for the bottom and the recovery will be slow.
12
Yes, the Republicans are corrupt, but the reason Trump is in the White House is both parties sold out the common man. They felt he was their only option. The difference between the parties is trivial, they are both owned by big donors.
Citizens United brought that to a conclusion, but it goes back to Nixon, then Gingrich, Bill Clinton and Obama. If the gerrymandering case in front of the Supremes goes the same way I'm selling my house and moving to New Zealand. Or Canada, perhaps just across the border in BC. But we are, for my lifetime, which is 15-20 years, just about finished as a democracy.
Citizens United brought that to a conclusion, but it goes back to Nixon, then Gingrich, Bill Clinton and Obama. If the gerrymandering case in front of the Supremes goes the same way I'm selling my house and moving to New Zealand. Or Canada, perhaps just across the border in BC. But we are, for my lifetime, which is 15-20 years, just about finished as a democracy.
7
7 months into this investigation now we start. Whats the rush?
5
The rush has to do with their commitment to deconstructing the regulatory apparatus in the government in order to benefit themselves.
3
Yeah ... this is shady. There's no way around that.
It's strange to me that someone with such OBVIOUSLY suspect finances and connections to hostile foreign powers would want to put themselves in the public eye by being so closely connected to a candidate for POTUS as Manafort was last year; if it were me, I'd be staying out of sight ... wouldn't you? The only way it makes sense is if you knew your candidate would win and could keep the DOJ of your back once in office.
It's strange to me that someone with such OBVIOUSLY suspect finances and connections to hostile foreign powers would want to put themselves in the public eye by being so closely connected to a candidate for POTUS as Manafort was last year; if it were me, I'd be staying out of sight ... wouldn't you? The only way it makes sense is if you knew your candidate would win and could keep the DOJ of your back once in office.
89
These guys have been so corrupt for so long that they feel invincible! So, not surprising! Yes, please follow the money, so that the people see the depth of corruption.
10
I think they get away with it for so long they believe they are untouchable.
2
that's what a narcissist is ... oblivious to reality... their only reality is the mirror and "yes men"... has anyone noticed how the twit always knows where the camera is? almost every photo has him turning to the camera
1
Trump's accomplices in crime do not have to overthrow the American government --- the corporate state already has.
Follow the money. LLCs or limited liability companies are set up to make it hard to do just that -- follow the money -- but the money can be followed.
This will all flow outward sooner or later. Patience required. The oligarchs will keep trying to cover up their secretive pathways. One Latvian criminal with just a few keystrokes of the computer drained millions from a poor bank in Muldova Russia, a few years back.
Follow the money. LLCs or limited liability companies are set up to make it hard to do just that -- follow the money -- but the money can be followed.
This will all flow outward sooner or later. Patience required. The oligarchs will keep trying to cover up their secretive pathways. One Latvian criminal with just a few keystrokes of the computer drained millions from a poor bank in Muldova Russia, a few years back.
25
The lust of money is the root of all evil THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. You either condone or not this president and his richest cabinet in American history to destroy the American way. We allow the rich we even admire them but we must not let them ruin our country and our way of life. If they had their way there would be no laws stopping them from making money anyway they could. As a nation we stand for accountability and our laws that must pertain to every single person in America equally. GOD spoke on how people should treat the poor over and over again in one verse he says we should not attach interest on loans given to the poor yes that's right may other he says people should go out of their way to help those in need and this is in the old testament so just think of his new covenant after Jesus ( after all Jesus was the first free medical in history) he feed the poor gave shelter and we all need to be more like Jesus In one verse we are told not to harvest the corners of our fields but leave them to the poor to harvest take heed to these words. IMPEACH TRUMP AND HIS EVIL WAYS.
4
Here’s a little something to think about. This story sets forth the tip of an ice berg of corruption involving criminal fraud, Russian Oligarchs, foreign investors and espionage. All of these actors now have a foothold in our government. Just how big a foothold has yet to be determined. And against this backdrop of malevolent evil, the Republican majority Supreme Court rules that dark, untraceable, secret money can be used to bankroll our elections. I’m truly sorry that Antonin Scalia could not be here to witness the inevitable result of his colossal stupidity and treachery.
109
The "guiding light" for the Mueller (and any other) investigation is to "follow the money". Flynn, Manafort, Kushner, the Trump family, and their financial associates around the World have all benefited from a cozy financial structure established by foreign oligarchs. This is a fact. The President, who rose to power in the Republican Party in meteoric fashion through his personal popularity ("you're fired!"), throws out Twitter "flares" every day to distract the public... but we are now all accustomed to the show. This is exactly what the GOP leadership feared about a potential Trump Administration when Donald announced his candidacy. In a strange way, I find it mildly entertaining... and I hope the show "goes on" well into 2018!
13
Hmm? Money laundering of Russian oligarch dirty money funding the trump/kushner debt ridden house of cards? Mon Dieu! Who knew, or who cared? Not in NYC for sure where it is just business as usual for the smooth running real estate machine that rips off all New Yorkers daily with inflated rents and co-op condo costs.
20
"governments" love the real estate industry because real estate poeple manipulate the value of property, and that value is what cities tax, so there is little reason for them to go after "real estate" people. The whole business is crooked. What we need to for cities to appraise property but that won't happen--it is all crooked, some more crooked than others. It is all a business decision.
3
Domestic policy? Follow the money.
International policy? Follow the money.
Fiscal policy? Follow the money.
Social policy? Follow the money.
Environmental policy? Follow the money.
Russia policy? Follow the money.
Saudi Arabia policy? Follow the money.
China policy? Follow the money.
Philippines policy? Follow the money.
Israeli policy? Follow the money.
Follow the money. Follow the money. Follow the money. Follow the money.
International policy? Follow the money.
Fiscal policy? Follow the money.
Social policy? Follow the money.
Environmental policy? Follow the money.
Russia policy? Follow the money.
Saudi Arabia policy? Follow the money.
China policy? Follow the money.
Philippines policy? Follow the money.
Israeli policy? Follow the money.
Follow the money. Follow the money. Follow the money. Follow the money.
99
Cut healthcare costs? Follow the money.
Tax cuts for the rich? Follow the money!!!
Tax cuts for the rich? Follow the money!!!
1
Also adding Turkey policy: follow the money
7
There comes a time when the citizens of America must accept the fact that Trump has been a money laundering enterprise for Russian Mob money for a generation. His entire " empire" is built upon the multiple bankruptcies and bad investments that opened the door to " dark money" from Russian FSB Oligarchs who were only too happy to have access to US real estate to launder their sanctioned money from the Motherland.
Trumps entire team is made up of Russian compromised US Oligarchs, with EXXON being the American equivalent of the GOP political daddy-warbucks in the pocket oil money.
Koch Brothers, Mercers and a group of US Oligarchs have taken over the GOP and put Koch backed players into every part of the government. With Fox News and the AM hate radio political hacks who have pushed propaganda in an endless flood of lies.
This is nothing but a bloodless Coup d'état by a group of gerrymandered politicians who have been bought and paid for by this group of American fascists.
Manaford is a blatant example of foreign money from a hostile government can pollute and overwhelm a political party whose members only seek power and wealth, over serving the nation and her people.
It is time to hold those accountable who enabled and supported this attempted take over of the US government .
Trumps entire team is made up of Russian compromised US Oligarchs, with EXXON being the American equivalent of the GOP political daddy-warbucks in the pocket oil money.
Koch Brothers, Mercers and a group of US Oligarchs have taken over the GOP and put Koch backed players into every part of the government. With Fox News and the AM hate radio political hacks who have pushed propaganda in an endless flood of lies.
This is nothing but a bloodless Coup d'état by a group of gerrymandered politicians who have been bought and paid for by this group of American fascists.
Manaford is a blatant example of foreign money from a hostile government can pollute and overwhelm a political party whose members only seek power and wealth, over serving the nation and her people.
It is time to hold those accountable who enabled and supported this attempted take over of the US government .
151
"Follow the money" is becoming a cliché in this widening investigation of ties between Russia and the Trump campaign.
I think this case is just the tip of the iceberg. If Mr. Manafort was so concerned about his daughter's fiancée, why did he end up as his investment partner?
There is a great film on HBO now featuring Robert De Niro as Bernie Madoff, the master of Ponzi schemes. Maybe the lure was just too great: all this cash at the ready, no questions asked, with shell companies and deals then more deals.
How and where Trump comes into all this is unclear, but he's had a long history with Russia (Don Jr. or Eric stated emphatically that in 2008 all the money flowing into the Trump Organization came from Russian businessmen, likely oligarchs.
Funny thing about this Russia investigation: "oligarch" can mean anything from bosom buddy of Vladimir Putin to investors here and in Russia who double as Russian intelligence officers.
The political and financial trails of so many associated with Trump are longer than the trajectory from here to Mars. But one thing our FBI is really good at is investigation financial corruption, including Ponzi schemes.
Watch the HBO film and see how easy getting investors to part with their money can be.
I think this case is just the tip of the iceberg. If Mr. Manafort was so concerned about his daughter's fiancée, why did he end up as his investment partner?
There is a great film on HBO now featuring Robert De Niro as Bernie Madoff, the master of Ponzi schemes. Maybe the lure was just too great: all this cash at the ready, no questions asked, with shell companies and deals then more deals.
How and where Trump comes into all this is unclear, but he's had a long history with Russia (Don Jr. or Eric stated emphatically that in 2008 all the money flowing into the Trump Organization came from Russian businessmen, likely oligarchs.
Funny thing about this Russia investigation: "oligarch" can mean anything from bosom buddy of Vladimir Putin to investors here and in Russia who double as Russian intelligence officers.
The political and financial trails of so many associated with Trump are longer than the trajectory from here to Mars. But one thing our FBI is really good at is investigation financial corruption, including Ponzi schemes.
Watch the HBO film and see how easy getting investors to part with their money can be.
124
Funniest thing about the "Russia Investigation" is how much it revolves around a liberal narrative with nothing more than the fact that Russia hacked Podesta's highly vulnerable server and leaked embarrassing communications, and tried hacking into the DNC, the RNC and state election systems--and that Trump won the election. Everything else is an attempt to create lines between dots that don't exist and never will. Had there been any collusion it would have been obvious by now, number one, and two, the efforts by Russia would have been far better directed and effective with guidance by the most amateurish American with half a brain.
2
Allen--I suspect there's more than suspicion about hacking political part communications. WHY hack them if there's no use for the information?
6
Maybe we should all be privy to intelligence reports. Then those dots and lines might become clearer to people like you who think everything Trump does is on the up and up.
Don, Jr., said in an interview that his company was flush with money, thanks to Russian banks. Do you think Russian banks are NOT controlled by Putin? Can you not see a scenario in which banks that hold Trump debt use that debt to extract "considerations" for the bank? I can. And it doesn't take much imagination.
And here we have Manafort creating shell companies here and there to move cash around while avoiding any sort of scrutiny from federal tax authorities. That's how money is "laundered" these days...through shell companies. Who is Manafort laundering money for??? I know who my first guess is. And he was Trump's campaign manager? But, of course, there's nothing there to worry about.
No, nothing has been proved. But then, maybe the net is still being drawn tight around all the big fish. No need to rush. Better to be slow and thorough. Let's all wait and see what pans out. Maybe nothing. But if it's something, will you then eat your words?
Don, Jr., said in an interview that his company was flush with money, thanks to Russian banks. Do you think Russian banks are NOT controlled by Putin? Can you not see a scenario in which banks that hold Trump debt use that debt to extract "considerations" for the bank? I can. And it doesn't take much imagination.
And here we have Manafort creating shell companies here and there to move cash around while avoiding any sort of scrutiny from federal tax authorities. That's how money is "laundered" these days...through shell companies. Who is Manafort laundering money for??? I know who my first guess is. And he was Trump's campaign manager? But, of course, there's nothing there to worry about.
No, nothing has been proved. But then, maybe the net is still being drawn tight around all the big fish. No need to rush. Better to be slow and thorough. Let's all wait and see what pans out. Maybe nothing. But if it's something, will you then eat your words?
7
What irony the star of All The President's Men involved in the sequel to Watergate. Russiagate bigger more crimes and even treason. Coming to your neighborhood big screen very soon.
73
Almost right. It's "As the World Turns" about five scandals at once to follow, more than an hour each day, tune in to see what happens next.
1
I will always remember one of the first lessons my mom taught me: "You are the company you keep". Surrounding yourself with corrupt people will make you corrupt. The smoking gun is somebody, maybe Manafort, in Trump's campaign.
263
What was the advice of Deep Throat to Bob Woodward? The answer was "follow the money" and it was true then and will be doubly true today in clearing up the Trump-Russiagate investigation. Just follow the money and the dead bodies. It is just that simple.
346
Speaking of money, never forget that Manafort offered his services to the Trump campaign for FREE…does anyone else think that is strange?
Anyone…? Anyone…? Bueller…
Anyone…? Anyone…? Bueller…
8
You're probably right, but I don't think it's simple. It's not yet a made-for-TV movie, where somebody says "Let's follow the money," and they neatly and efficiently do that and have the guy in jail by the end of the hour.
It might be much harder to do now than it was in Watergate times, now that rich have gotten richer and better at staying rich, better at covering their tracks. Add to that all the overlapping self-interests at work...
We've elected an ethically, morally and intellectually compromised second-rate businessman as President. How could that possibly address our cultural needs?
It might be much harder to do now than it was in Watergate times, now that rich have gotten richer and better at staying rich, better at covering their tracks. Add to that all the overlapping self-interests at work...
We've elected an ethically, morally and intellectually compromised second-rate businessman as President. How could that possibly address our cultural needs?
8
Are the "pigeons" coming home to roost?
Where are the Tax Returns? Are there any Tax Returns?
VOTE 2018
Where are the Tax Returns? Are there any Tax Returns?
VOTE 2018
222
It's a reasonable assumption that President Trump's tax returns finally ARE under extreme forensic audit by Special Prosecutor Mueller's team.
1
Everyone...and I mean everyone associated with Trump...are corrupt, amoral and greedy. Just disgusted by the whole 1% Oligarchy in this country.
Their goal...to turn our nation and world into a Dystopian "Hunger Games".
Their goal...to turn our nation and world into a Dystopian "Hunger Games".
207
And the hits just keep on coming. Does the FBI have any resources left for investigating anything other than this administration?
91
Hey Pat, And when you read this article, you say to yourself, "These are good people! Why is the FBI harassing them?". Really??
Is there an end to this administration's criminality?
1
Allegations of income tax fraud are much different than in civil or criminal court.
If the IRS alleges money owed as a result of "hiding" money in an attempt to defraud the US government, the taxpayer has the burden of proof they did not commit income tax fraud. Remember Al Capone!
Income tax fraud (which may included Mrs Manaford, his daughter..his son-in-law) could secure sentences of 10 years or more of prison time.
Do you think these folks will talk to minimize their sentence...Of course!
If the IRS alleges money owed as a result of "hiding" money in an attempt to defraud the US government, the taxpayer has the burden of proof they did not commit income tax fraud. Remember Al Capone!
Income tax fraud (which may included Mrs Manaford, his daughter..his son-in-law) could secure sentences of 10 years or more of prison time.
Do you think these folks will talk to minimize their sentence...Of course!
99
Money laundering. Racketeering. Conspiracy. Extortion. You name it! They'll be looking into every possible type of fraud. They may find them all!
7
Once again the old axiom that the biggest sucker is another con proves out. Trump is the biggest con, but he is the tool of Putin who is conning him into engaging in a war with Iran to do Putin's dirty work and kill millions in the Middle East just to achieve the goal of higher prices for Russia's oil. Ultimately, we all pay for this greed and foolish games.
102
Go solar!
4
Meuller is right to follow the money. Besides Manafort, there is trump himself - financed by crooked russian money for years.
305
We need our media to help all Americans understand that Russia is not a state like other states. It is a mob enterprise. The oligarchs have seized control of its resources, and with Putin as Don, Russia is attempting to extend its control and its revenue -- for the benefit of a few. The people of Russia have seen their fortunes decline, while Putin is rumored to be one of the wealthiest people on the planet. And lately, rumors have swirled that up to a dozen have been killed in the UK -- by his long arm. So when allegations arise -- that Manafort, or Flynn, or Trump have been working with Russians -- what we all need to hear is that they've been working with a mob. As a mob, it cares about ideology only insofar as it contributes to control and obfuscation. Putin and his friends don't care about "Mother Russia," just like Trump doesn't care about "America," -- they care about themselves
515
Russia is a mob enterprise.
And if we're not careful, we'll be in the same boat!
And if we're not careful, we'll be in the same boat!
10
I wonder if all of Paul Manafort's Russian connections will lead to Russian footprints in the Oval Office?
5
Fifty-five years ago my ninth grade Social Studies teacher, who was a colonel in the National Guard, described the US and Russia as Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum. Today, he has never been more correct. Just change "Russia" to GOP, "Putin" to Trump and "state" to party in the following sentences and see: "We need our media to help all Americans understand that Russia is not a state like other states. The oligarchs have seized control of its resources, and with Putin as Don, Russia is attempting to extend its control and its revenue -- for the benefit of a few."
4