Smoking gun: Comey told Clapper FBI unable to 'sufficiently corroborate' Steele — then signed FISA

In January 2017 email to intel chief coughed up under court order, the former FBI director contradicted sworn avowal to FISA court that Steele dossier was verified.

The very day in January 2017 that then-FBI Director James Comey signed a FISA surveillance warrant application declaring content from Christopher Steele's dossier had been "verified," he wrote President Obama's outgoing intelligence community chief with a very different assessment of the British spy's intelligence on Russia collusion, a newly released memo shows.

"We are not able to sufficiently corroborate the reporting," Comey wrote in a Jan. 12, 2017 email to then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper that was declassified and made public through an open records lawsuit by the Southeastern Legal Foundation.

The memo recounts an internal debate inside the U.S. intelligence community during one of the most delicate moments in the FBI's then six-month old Crossfire Hurricane probe.

CIA officials had already informed Comey's FBI that the target of the FISA warrant, Carter Page, wasn't a Russian spy but rather an asset helping U.S. intelligence. The bureau had received warnings about Steele and the reliability of his source network, including that it might have been compromised by Russian disinformation. Agents had also just recommended on Jan. 4, 2017 shutting down the probe's inquiry into incoming National Security Adviser Michael Flynn for lack of evidence.

The FBI had been warned the previous summer that Hillary Clinton's campaign may have planted the false Russia collusion story as a way to "vilify" Trump and distract from her email scandal, and agents were about to interview Steele's primary sub-source, who would discount much of the information in the dossier attributed to him as bar talk and unconfirmed rumor not worthy of official intelligence.

And the larger intelligence community had decided it did not want to vouch for the Steele dossier in its official Intelligence Community Assessment about Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

It was in that environment in the final days of the Obama administration that Clapper had written Comey earlier on Jan. 12, 2017 to inform the FBI that Clapper had decided to release a public statement declaring that the Steele dossier was only mentioned in an appendix to the intel community's report because the "IC has not made any judgment that the information in the document is reliable."

Comey tried to push back, suggesting Steele was deemed reliable (he actually had been terminated by the FBI for leaking by that time) and that his network included sources that might be in a position to know things (although the key source had already disavowed the information attributed to him in the dossier).

"I just had a chance to review the proposed talking points on this for today," Comey wrote Clapper. "Perhaps it is a nit, but I worry that it may not be best to say 'the IC has not made any judgment that the information in the document is reliable.' I say that because we HAVE concluded that the source is reliable and has a track record with us of reporting reliable information; we have some visibility into his source network, some of which we have determined to be sub-sources in a position to report on such things; and much of what he reports in the current document is consistent with and corroborative of other reporting included in the body of the main IC report.

Then Comey added the line that undercut his argument: "That said, we are not able to sufficiently corroborate the reporting to include it in the body of the report."

You can read the full memo here:

https://justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2021-02/ComeyClapperMemo1-12-17.pdf

https://justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2020-04/04-15-20_ODNI_Declassified_Footnotes_20-00337_Unclassified.pdf

https://justthenews.com/accountability/russia-and-ukraine-scandals/comey-told-intel-chief-steele-dossier-was-not

>>12936681

Fuck off Rabbi

WHO COVID ‘Investigator’ is Chinese CDC Advisor Who Accepted CCP Research Grants.

Marion Koopmans, a member of the recent World Health Organization mission to discover the origins of COVID-19 in China, has served as an advisor to the Chinese Communist Party’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention and authored studies funded by Chinese government-backed grants, The National Pulse can reveal.

The World Health Organization (WHO) delegation concluded that it was “extremely unlikely” the virus came from a Chinese Communist Party lab despite reports showing China refused to share all relevant data to the early days of COVID-19.

But Koopman’s ties to the Chinese Communist Party, which resemble a similar relationship to fellow WHO researcher Peter Daszak, call into question the validity of the team’s findings.

A document entitled “Scientific Advisory Group members” from the World Health Organization (WHO) contains Koopman’s professional bio, which reveals she has served as a “member of the scientific advisory board of the Centres for Disease Control of Guangdong China“:

As member of the scientific advisory board of the Centres for Disease control of Guangdong China, she has advised on the building of the laboratory capacity for emerging infectious disease detection in this region, and has ongoing research collaborations trying to unravel emergence and spread of viruses through the animal production chain in this region.

https://thenationalpulse.com/news/exc-who-covid-investigator-is-chinese-cdc-advisor-who-accepted-ccp-research-grants/

State Dept Refuses to Explain Iran Envoy’s Talks with China

Malley's powwows with China about Iran deal hint at Biden admin divisions on diplomacy

The State Department is refusing to provide details or even confirm statements by the Chinese government indicating the U.S.-Iran envoy Robert Malley recently spoke to Communist Party officials about the Biden administration’s efforts to reenter the 2015 nuclear accord.

Chinese vice foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu "had a phone conversation with U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley at the latter's request, and the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on the Iranian nuclear issue," China’s foreign ministry announced late last week.

When asked to confirm the press release and provide further details about Malley’s conversations, the State Department ignored multiple Washington Free Beacon emails before stating on Sunday, "Special Envoy Rob Malley is in the early stages of engaging Members of Congress, allies, partners, and others." The State Department would not provide any details when pressed to specifically address the talks with China. Normally, the State Department provides reporters with readouts of conversations held by senior U.S. diplomats with their counterparts, particularly if those talks are held at the request of the United States.

Malley’s diplomatic talks with China come as the Biden administration is pressing Iran to end its revamped nuclear work, which includes stockpiling highly enriched uranium, the primary fuel for a nuclear weapon. China is still party to the 2015 accord and has a vested interest in seeing the United States rejoin the agreement. It is a primary ally of the Iranian regime and has supported the rollback of a United Nations arms ban on Tehran, which would permit the Communist Party and nations like Russia to sell Iran billions in advanced arms.

Malley’s overtures to China on the Iran portfolio appear to be at odds with Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s repeated promises to not pursue diplomacy with Tehran until it rolls back its nuclear work and proves it is in compliance with the restrictions placed on its program as part of the agreement. The State Department’s silence on Malley’s meeting could be an indication the Biden administration’s public statements on the deal are at odds with its private diplomacy on the matter.

Iranian officials said during the weekend that the country is poised to further block access to international nuclear inspectors with the International Atomic Energy Agency. Iran is taking this step as part of a pressure campaign to force Western nations into granting it sanctions relief. In addition to booting IAEA inspectors—who recently found that Iran is producing uranium metal in violation of the accord—Iran plans to increase its enrichment of uranium and install advanced centrifuges, machinery that enriches uranium to levels needed for a weapon.

Iran also plans to suspend its cooperation under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, a nuclear arms pact, by the end of the month.

https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/state-dept-refuses-to-explain-iran-envoys-talks-with-china/

The FCC Fairness Doctrine was abolished in 1987. All media is literally propaganda.

The fairness doctrine of the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), introduced in 1949, was a policy that required the holders of broadcast licenses to both present controversial issues of public importance and to do so in a manner that was honest, equitable, and balanced. The FCC eliminated the policy in 1987 and removed the rule that implemented the policy from the Federal Register in August 2011.[1]

The fairness doctrine had two basic elements: It required broadcasters to devote some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest, and to air contrasting views regarding those matters. Stations were given wide latitude as to how to provide contrasting views: It could be done through news segments, public affairs shows, or editorials. The doctrine did not require equal time for opposing views but required that contrasting viewpoints be presented. The demise of this FCC rule has been considered by some to be a contributing factor for the rising level of party polarization in the United States.[2][3]

The main agenda for the doctrine was to ensure that viewers were exposed to a diversity of viewpoints. In 1969 the United States Supreme Court, in Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. FCC, upheld the FCC's general right to enforce the fairness doctrine where channels were limited. However, the Court did not rule that the FCC was obliged to do so.[4] The courts reasoned that the scarcity of the broadcast spectrum, which limited the opportunity for access to the airwaves, created a need for the doctrine.

The fairness doctrine is not the same as the equal-time rule. The fairness doctrine deals with discussion of controversial issues, while the equal-time rule deals only with political candidates.

https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/the-fcc-fairness-doctrine-was-abolished-in-1987-all-media-is-literally-propaganda/

Watch: 23andMe just sold the genomes of millions of its users

https://thomasdishaw.com/watch-23andme-just-sold-the-genomes-of-millions-of-its-users/

UK Labour leader Keir Starmer’s “Anti-Semitism Advisory Board”: A rogue’s gallery of Israel stooges

Under the leadership of Keir Starmer the Labour Party has continued on its downward spiral towards centralism and being pro-Israel. Starmer has had help from the likes of the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) and the Board of Deputies Of British Jews (BoD) with the continuation of this trend.

Last year I wrote about the anti-Semitism smear campaign against, and the purging of, leftwing members from the Labour Party. This has continued under the leadership of Starmer and he has now appointed the members of the Anti-Semitism Advisory Board.

Margaret Hodge

I shuddered in horror when I saw some of the names on the list: Margaret Hodge, the queen of false anti-Semitism claims against Labour Party members and supporters. She put in 200 complaints of anti-Semitism against supposed Labour Party members. Former General Secretary Jennie Formby stated in an email that only 20 of those complaints applied to Labour Party members, the rest of Hodge’s complaints were about non-party members. Hodge herself was the subject of an anti-Semitism complaint by Orthodox Jewish Labour member Charedi Shraga Stern after Hodge took a photograph of Stern when he met the then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and Dan Carden Labour MP for Liverpool Walton. Hodge then tweeted the photograph to a journalist, Henry Zeffman of The Times. I have not seen anything more about this complaint but knowing what else Hodge has got away with over the years I doubt the matter went any further.

Mike Katz

I have no knowledge of Mike Katz from the JLM but I do know that the JLM are a rightwing organisation, with ties to the Israeli embassy, which was revived when Jeremy Corbyn became leader of the Labour Party in 2015. The JLM was actually formed in 2004 as a successor to Poale Zion, which was a movement of Marxist-Zionist Jewish workers founded in Poland, Europe and Russia in the early 20th Century. Katz was anti-Corbyn and stated that the JLM had not campaigned for Corbyn during the 2019 general election campaign (should they really call themselves Labour then?). It was articles like the one Katz wrote for the Guardian in December 2019 that made voters believe in the false anti-Semitism claims against Labour. The JLM played a large part in the smear campaign against Jeremy Corbyn, leftwing Labour MPs and members, and is part of the pro-Israel lobby that is gaining more power in Britain.

https://www.redressonline.com/2021/02/uk-labour-leader-keir-starmers-anti-semitism-advisory-board-a-rogues-gallery-of-israel-stooges/

Turkey summons US ambassador over statement on killings

Turkey summoned the United States ambassador to Ankara on Monday to convey “in the strongest terms” its reaction to a statement on the killing of 13 kidnapped Turks in Iraq, which President Tayyip Erdogan called “a farce”.

Turkey said on Sunday fighters from the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) executed the captives, including Turkish military and police personnel, amid a military operation in northern Iraq where the group was holding them.The US said it stood by fellow NATO member Turkey and that it condemned the killings if it was confirmed that responsibility lay with the PKK.

Ankara, already angered by Washington’s partnership with Kurdish fighters in neighbouring Syria, was infuriated by the conditionality of the US statement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the United States of supporting “terrorists”.

“The statement made by the United States is a farce,” Erdogan said on Monday. “You said you did not support terrorists, when in fact you are on their side and behind them,” Erdogan said in televised remarks criticising the US State Department statement, which failed to accept Ankara’s account of the incident.Turkey this month launched a military operation against PKK bases in northern Iraq that Erdogan said on Monday was designed in part to free the 13 hostages.

At least 48 members of the Kurdish armed group were also killed during the operation, according to Turkey’s defence minister.

The PKK, dubbed a “terrorist” group by the US and Turkey’s other Western allies, has been waging an armed rebellion against the Turkish state since 1984 that is believed to have left tens of thousands dead.if reports of the death of Turkish civilians at the hands of the PKK, a designated terrorist organisation, are confirmed, we condemn this action in the strongest possible terms,” the State Department said in a statement.

But Erdogan demanded that his NATO allies need to pick sides.

“After this, there are two options. Either act with Turkey with no ifs or buts, without questioning, or they will be a partner to every murder and bloodshed,” he said.

“The terrorist organisation on our doorstep, on our borders, is killing innocents.”

Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu reporting from Istanbul said that according to its statement, the US doesn’t seem convinced by the Turkish defence ministry and other official statements that the Turkish citizens were killed with PKK bullets, which is why Erdogan “lashed out”.

“Turkey has been criticising the US for providing weapons and arms for the YPG, which is at the same time PKK for Turkey, because Turkey believes those weapons provided by the international coalition [to the PKK] in the fight against ISIL in Syria will one day be diverted to Turkey,” Koseoglu said.

http://www.scoopyweb.com/2021/02/turkey-summons-us-ambassador-over.html

>>12936880

Summary: S.394 — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

All Information (Except Text)

There are 5 summaries for S.394.

Bill summaries are authored by CRS.

Shown Here:

Public Law No: 116-121 (03/03/2020)

Presidential Transition Enhancement Act of 2019

This bill makes changes intended to smooth the transfer of executive power during presidential transitions.

The bill provides for the detailing of legislative branch employees on a reimbursable basis to office staffs designated by the President-elect or Vice President-elect with the consent of the supervising Member of Congress.

The bill extends support provided by the General Services Administration (GSA) to the President- and Vice President-elect for up to 60 days after the inauguration.

By September 1 of a year during which a presidential election occurs, the GSA shall enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with each eligible candidate, which shall include the conditions for administrative support services and facilities. To the maximum extent practicable, an MOU shall be based on MOUs relating to previous presidential transitions. Each MOU shall include an agreement that the eligible candidate will implement and enforce an ethics plan to guide the conduct of the transition beginning on the date on which such candidate becomes President-elect. The plan shall be published on the GSA website.

By September 15 of a year during which a presidential election occurs, each agency shall ensure that a succession plan is in place for each senior noncareer position in the agency.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/394

Governor Abbott Sends Additional Resources To Local Officials Throughout Texas

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the State of Texas is deploying maximum resources to local officials throughout the state to respond to severe winter weather and to restore power to our communities. State agencies are sending resources and personnel to help local officials clear roadways and to assist essential workers, such as healthcare professionals and power grid workers, in carrying out their essential duties.

Furthermore, Governor Abbott and the Texas Military Department have deployed National Guard across Texas to conduct welfare checks and to assist local authorities in transitioning Texans in need to one of the 135 local warming centers that the state has helped established across Texas.

On Sunday, Governor Abbott sought and received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Energy that allows Texas power generators to increase production. Unfortunately, some of those generators are unable to increase production at this time because their operations have been frozen by weather conditions. They are working to get their power production back on line.

“Due to the severe weather and freezing temperatures across our state, many power companies have been unable to generate power, whether it’s from coal, natural gas, or wind power,” said Governor Abbott. “ERCOT and the PUC are working non-stop to restore power supply. The state has also deployed resources to assist Texans without power and to help essential workers continue to carry out their jobs. In the meantime, I encourage all Texans to continue to stay off the roads, and conserve energy as state agencies work with private providers to restore power as quickly as possible.”

The following resources have been deployed:

Texas Department of Public Safety: 3,300 Troopers and 3,300 patrol vehicles responding statewide to events in areas adversely affected by winter weather

Texas Military Department: 6 Winter Weather Packages consisting of 90 personnel, 28 High Mobility Multi-Wheeled Vehicles, 1 Field Light Ambulance, and 4 Wreckers

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: 585 personnel, 531 4x4 vehicles, 50 UAS, 1 aircraft and 9 K9 teams

Texas A&M Forest Service: 83 personnel, 6 Motor Graders, and 58 4x4’s

Texas Department of Transportation: 2,314 personnel, 695 snowplows, 188 loaders, 55 Motor Graders and 757 4x4 vehicles

Texas Emergency Medical Task Force: 1 AMBUS and 1 Ambulance Strike Team and 4 Severe Weather Packages consisting of 1 Task Force Leader, 1 MIST,1 AMBUS and 1 Ambulance Strike Team each on stand-by

ERCOT’s ability to provide power has been limited by the ability of private power generators of all sources, including natural gas, wind, and solar, to generate power for the grid. To avoid large scale blackouts and damage to the grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas began implementing outages to preserve the integrity of the power grid while the companies that generate power work to restore power generation.

Previously, Governor Abbott issued a disaster declaration in all 254 counties, deployed resources throughout the state, and ordered the Texas State Operations Center (SOC) to expand its daily operations to 24-hours a day.

The Governor also previously requested a Federal Emergency Declaration for Texas in response to the severe winter weather, which was granted by the Biden administration.

https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-sends-additional-resources-to-local-officials-throughout-texas

AI isn't better than Anon's