>>1524810 (pb)
Kek, I posted this last night
>>1515827
Senate Democrats dare GOP: Go ahead, cancel the August recess
Senate Democrats said Wednesday they aren't worried at all about Republican threats to cancel the August recess, and even some who are in tough races against their GOP opponents said staying in Washington might help show voters that they're willing to work hard.
"I'm not worried at all," said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., on the prospect of losing part of recess. "Do your job. That's what we're here for. It would be nice if they stayed here on Fridays and worked sometimes."
"I think they'd think a lot less of me if I was skipping out here campaigning and didn't do my job," Manchin said. "That's West Virginia — they expect you to do the job that you're committed to doing and you take an oath to do, so I don't think it would be a disadvantage at all."
Republicans are mulling whether to stick around in August and work, a move that could make it harder for the 26 Democrats up for re-election to defend their seats. Republicans are only defending nine seats, so the move could give the GOP an advantage as it tries to build on its slim 51-49 majority.
But Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., another top target of Republicans in the fall, is unfazed by the threat and said he doesn't mind staying as long as real work gets done.
"I don't have a problem with it as long as we do something. I think that that's a big part of it. I don't see getting that much more done, but if they want to do it to get some stuff done, people sent me here to work and we don't have any problem doing that," Tester said. "Roll up your sleeves and get after it. It's fine. I think it's good. I don't have a problem with it."
McConnell has yet to announce his plans for the recess after several Senate Republicans called on him to cancel the entire break so the chamber can pass nominees and pass appropriations bills. A similar group of GOP senators made the same call last year, and McConnell canceled a week of recess and struck a deal to approve.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Wednesday that he remains hopeful that the two sides will be able to work out a deal as they "usually" do, but others in the Senate Democratic ranks believe the move is a smokescreen and an empty threat from Republicans.
"I doubt they will [cancel recess] … I suspect there are some things for window-dressing," said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., adding that he suspects that McConnell will cancel a week again this year, but not much longer. "I'm not too worried."
While only one Republican is deemed to be in a true tough fight in November, upwards of six Senate Democratic incumbents are fighting for their political lives with less than six months until the elections. Additionally, the lone Republican in a tough fight, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., signed the letter to McConnell along with 15 of his colleagues, giving McConnell more flexibility ahead of Election Day.
While some Democrats say they aren't concerned about shortening or canceling the month away from Washington, others are irked at the idea that recess would be canceled for political purposes.
"It's unfortunate because it's partisan," said Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.
"I'll just work extra hard on weekends. I'm used to doing that. I don't think my opponent [is] so much," McCaskill added in a dig against her opponent, Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley, who has come under fire in the state for what some believe has been a lackluster campaign.
"It would be unfortunate if politics were played with the schedule that affects so many families," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. "But whatever happens will be fine."
Republicans hope the chatter pushes Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to negotiate on the appropriation bills and nominations ahead of the August recess despite the funding deadline currently set for the end of September. If not, they're prepared to remain in town for an August session.
"If I were Chuck Schumer, I would want to be working with us to help move appropriation bills and move nominations and get a lot of work done so I can get my members out in the month of August," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. "[O]bviously, from their standpoint politically, he's going to be under a lot of pressure to have his members back in their states, but that … suggests they might want to work with us and cooperate in the next few months to try and get as many of these things across the finish line as we can."
https:// www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/senate-democrats-dare-gop-go-ahead-cancel-the-august-recess
Judge denies top news outlets access to sealed records in Mueller investigation
A judge denied a push by multiple top news organizations seeking access to sealed court records pertaining to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, including documents about the case against former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort.
A judge from the U.S. District Court in D.C. Wednesday denied the request by the Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, and Politico, who sought to view sealed search warrants, warrant applications, and supporting affidavits related to the ongoing investigation.
“The Special Counsel’s investigation is not a closed matter, but an ongoing criminal investigation with multiple lines of non-public inquiry,” the court filing reads. “No right of pubic access exists to search warrant materials in an ongoing investigation.”
The coalition of news outlets filed their request last month, arguing that the investigation “goes to the heart of the integrity of the political process.”
While the judge ruled that they did not find sufficient evidence that releasing the evidence would play a “significant positive role” in governmental affairs, the judge did note that “many relevant facts” will soon become public knowledge through briefings and arguments.
https:// www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/judge-denies-top-news-outlets-access-to-sealed-records-in-mueller-investigation
No doubt, but what can you expect from DC, they seem to take care of their good friends…
I was just noticing about the Gang of 8 meeting tomorrow, it will just be a briefing, with no documents shown, according to Mark Meadows.
https:// www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house-planning-bipartisan-briefing-on-fbi-informant-amid-democratic-fury-about-being-left-out
I glad we have gotten to a point where it feels like some light at the end of the tunnel.
You know I was just noticing how Chuckie Boy has a real finger problem, Someone should take that finger of his and shove it right back at him.
The Drone Papers
The Intercept has obtained a cache of secret documents detailing the inner workings of the U.S. military’s assassination program in Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia. The documents, provided by a whistleblower, offer an unprecedented glimpse into Obama’s drone wars.
The Assassination Complex
Secret military documents expose the inner workings of Obama’s drone wars
A Visual Glossary
Decoding the language of covert warfare
This is a labyrinth with 12 entrances and no exit. It is built on a cache of documents provided to The Intercept by a source within the intelligence community.
Birds
The first bomb dropped from an airplane exploded in an oasis outside Tripoli on November 1, 1911.Âą
While flying over Ain Zara, Libya, Lieutenant Giulio Gavotti leaned out of his airplane, which looked like a dragonfly, and dropped a Haasen hand grenade. It landed “in the camp of the enemy, with good results.”
https:// theintercept.com/drone-papers/
https:// theintercept.com/drone-papers/the-assassination-complex/
https:// theintercept.com/drone-papers/a-visual-glossary/
Last night I posted, my predictions on Godfathers l,ll,lll. Sometime later I recieved this reply, with Barbara Bush Pic, and HRC mentioned. I Have been pondering this since and my first and only thought about it is this: Was this helper trying to convey that WJC would be Godfather lV?
The Bushes called him a brother from another mother and Barbara, would gush over him and the relationship he and GWHB had.
Am I thinking this through the proper sequence based on the info I have here?