Orange Duce

[MDlaxfan76]

And as Afan has reminded us all time & again. Trump is a closet Democrat, which by the support of Trump, makes us righties more center/center-left. We are closer than we think.

Interesting. Obviously, Afan was privy to observations/conversations that I didn't have. Trump used to brag at our NYCMBC meetings that he was THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN THE ROOM. TRUMP IN THE CLOSET? HARDLY. No flaming way. Every few months, Koch asked TRUMP to explain to we Republicans on the Council, precisely what makes a person a DEMOCRAT. His answers were hilarious. So were Ed's eye rolls.

When Bloomberg was elected, Trump resigned from the Council. Guess he had no use for a Republican mayor.

Perhaps Afan and I can swap notes.I'm curious why he thought Trump is closeted.

present tense versus past tense.

[seacoaster]

seacoaster -- what specific statutory rqmt does Ratcliffe not meet that Coats did ?

I don't know; that was in the American Conservative article. It piqued my interest as well.

[RedFromMI]

seacoaster -- what specific statutory rqmt does Ratcliffe not meet that Coats did ?

I don't know; that was in the American Conservative article. It piqued my interest as well.

From Wikipedia:

Under 50 U.S.C. § 403-3a, "under ordinary circumstances, it is desirable" that either the director or the principal deputy director of National Intelligence be an active-duty commissioned officer in the armed forces or have training or experience in military intelligence activities and requirements. Only one of the two positions can be held by a military officer at any given time. The statute does not specify what rank the commissioned officer will hold during his or her tenure in either position.

[runrussellrun]

Well, I think, still to this day, that most of Obama's appointees fit the same descriptor. Low lifes.

Already mentioned Tim Geithner
How about low life Eric Holder ?
Gov. Bill Richardson
Sen. Tom Ca$le (SD)
Don't remember Jide Zeitlin ?
Chas Freemans picture shows up when looking up 'bestNbritest"
Jim DuhMint
Lois Lerner (move along, nothing to see )
Martha N. Johnson (shop till you drop )
Hillarious Clinton and then Jon Kerry.
Eric Shinseki
James E. “Hoss” Cartwright
Vistria

NO......not even close to being as stinky pungent at tRumps, but still road kill smelly.

https://news.grabien.com/story-exclusiv ... nistration

[old salt]

seacoaster -- what specific statutory rqmt does Ratcliffe not meet that Coats did ?

I don't know; that was in the American Conservative article. It piqued my interest as well.

From Wikipedia:

Under 50 U.S.C. § 403-3a, "under ordinary circumstances, it is desirable" that either the director or the principal deputy director of National Intelligence be an active-duty commissioned officer in the armed forces or have training or experience in military intelligence activities and requirements. Only one of the two positions can be held by a military officer at any given time. The statute does not specify what rank the commissioned officer will hold during his or her tenure in either position.

"desirable" =/= "statutory requirement"

All I could find in the statute was "extensive national security experience".

[runrussellrun]

seacoaster -- what specific statutory rqmt does Ratcliffe not meet that Coats did ?

I don't know; that was in the American Conservative article. It piqued my interest as well.

From Wikipedia:

Under 50 U.S.C. § 403-3a, "under ordinary circumstances, it is desirable" that either the director or the principal deputy director of National Intelligence be an active-duty commissioned officer in the armed forces or have training or experience in military intelligence activities and requirements. Only one of the two positions can be held by a military officer at any given time. The statute does not specify what rank the commissioned officer will hold during his or her tenure in either position.

Just more elitism. Why in the world does it HAVE to be an officer and NOT enlisted? Maybe they will ask at the debate, part deux., tonight.

[seacoaster]

seacoaster -- what specific statutory rqmt does Ratcliffe not meet that Coats did ?

I don't know; that was in the American Conservative article. It piqued my interest as well.

From Wikipedia:

Under 50 U.S.C. § 403-3a, "under ordinary circumstances, it is desirable" that either the director or the principal deputy director of National Intelligence be an active-duty commissioned officer in the armed forces or have training or experience in military intelligence activities and requirements. Only one of the two positions can be held by a military officer at any given time. The statute does not specify what rank the commissioned officer will hold during his or her tenure in either position.

"desirable" =/= "statutory requirement"

All I could find in the statute was "extensive national security experience".

Yeah, my guess is that is the so-called requirement that the American Conservative blogwriter found/finds wanting in Brother Ratcliffe.

I think the real concern is the other one: he's a political apostle without the stones to let the President know that the intelligence suggests something that doesn't help Trump get re-elected. He was a small town mayor, so he must've made a few tough calls on sewer hookups and tax abatements, to say nothing of zoning amendments. Only the best.

[RedFromMI]

seacoaster -- what specific statutory rqmt does Ratcliffe not meet that Coats did ?

I don't know; that was in the American Conservative article. It piqued my interest as well.

From Wikipedia:

Under 50 U.S.C. § 403-3a, "under ordinary circumstances, it is desirable" that either the director or the principal deputy director of National Intelligence be an active-duty commissioned officer in the armed forces or have training or experience in military intelligence activities and requirements. Only one of the two positions can be held by a military officer at any given time. The statute does not specify what rank the commissioned officer will hold during his or her tenure in either position.

"desirable" =/= "statutory requirement"

All I could find in the statute was "extensive national security experience".

Yeah, my guess is that is the so-called requirement that the American Conservative blogwriter found/finds wanting in Brother Ratcliffe.

I think the real concern is the other one: he's a political apostle without the stones to let the President know that the intelligence suggests something that doesn't help Trump get re-elected. He was a small town mayor, so he must've made a few tough calls on sewer hookups and tax abatements, to say nothing of zoning amendments. Only the best.

Oh - and his prosecution post was a temporary one holding the place before the next nominated one was in place. Had it for around a year. His prosecution of "terrorists" was a prosecution of a charity that was funneling money to the wrong places in the ME. Not exactly putting terrorists in jail.

Trump picks him because he has "auditioned" on a combination of Fox News and his committee grilling of Mueller. No real expectation from Trump of actual extensive national security experience/expertise. Just someone to do his dirty work and make sure the NI apparatus is not feeding the OD anything that might contradict his "beliefs".

[Trinity]

Ratcliffe didn’t prosecute anyone in the Holy Land case. He might have picked up bagels for the real litigators. We get that this post is no longer important.

[CU88]

Have We No Decency? A Response to President Trump.

As faith leaders who serve at Washington National Cathedral ¬– the sacred space where America gathers at moments of national significance – we feel compelled to ask: After two years of President Trump’s words and actions, when will Americans have enough?


https://cathedral.org/have-we-no-decenc ... 2nfsFGkSLU


The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral
The Rev. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas, Canon Theologian of Washington National Cathedral[youtube][/youtube]

[old salt]

seacoaster -- what specific statutory rqmt does Ratcliffe not meet that Coats did ?

I don't know; that was in the American Conservative article. It piqued my interest as well.

From Wikipedia:

Under 50 U.S.C. § 403-3a, "under ordinary circumstances, it is desirable" that either the director or the principal deputy director of National Intelligence be an active-duty commissioned officer in the armed forces or have training or experience in military intelligence activities and requirements. Only one of the two positions can be held by a military officer at any given time. The statute does not specify what rank the commissioned officer will hold during his or her tenure in either position.

Just more elitism. Why in the world does it HAVE to be an officer and NOT enlisted? Maybe they will ask at the debate, part deux., tonight.

Good Point. Senior Chief Malcom Nance would make a great DNI.

[Trinity]

Why not Ensign Parker?

[old salt]

I think the real concern is the other one: he's a political apostle without the stones to let the President know that the intelligence suggests something that doesn't help Trump get re-elected.

That can cut both ways. If Trump trusts his DNI, he's more likely to believe the intel the DNI brings him.
Trump won't be as likely to question his loyalty. He can give Trump unclass briefs via FNC.
The DNI is primarily a front man for the IC, who can make their case to the WH & Congress.
...& cuddle with Andrea Mitchell at Aspen.

[wahoomurf]

And as Afan has reminded us all time & again. Trump is a closet Democrat, which by the support of Trump, makes us righties more center/center-left. We are closer than we think.

Interesting. Obviously, Afan was privy to observations/conversations that I didn't have. Trump used to brag at our NYCMBC meetings that he was THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN THE ROOM. TRUMP IN THE CLOSET? HARDLY. No flaming way. Every few months, Koch asked TRUMP to explain to we Republicans on the Council, precisely what makes a person a DEMOCRAT. His answers were hilarious. So were Ed's eye rolls.

When Bloomberg was elected, Trump resigned from the Council. Guess he had no use for a Republican mayor.

Perhaps Afan and I can swap notes.I'm curious why he thought Trump is closeted.

present tense versus past tense.

Trump is neither a Republican nor a Democrat. He's WEATHERMAN...one who "KNOWS WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS".And adjusts accordingly.

[a fan]

And as Afan has reminded us all time & again. Trump is a closet Democrat, which by the support of Trump, makes us righties more center/center-left. We are closer than we think.

Interesting. Obviously, Afan was privy to observations/conversations that I didn't have. Trump used to brag at our NYCMBC meetings that he was THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN THE ROOM. TRUMP IN THE CLOSET? HARDLY. No flaming way. Every few months, Koch asked TRUMP to explain to we Republicans on the Council, precisely what makes a person a DEMOCRAT. His answers were hilarious. So were Ed's eye rolls.

When Bloomberg was elected, Trump resigned from the Council. Guess he had no use for a Republican mayor.

Perhaps Afan and I can swap notes.I'm curious why he thought Trump is closeted.

I've never said he's closeted, that was MDlax's addition to my sentiment that Trump is a lefty.

I agree completely that his proclivities are right there for all to see. But try telling a Trump fan that Trump is a lefty. They'd just as soon think you're telling them that you think Trump is a Smallmouth Bass named Steve.

[RedFromMI]

I agree completely that his proclivities are right there for all to see. But try telling a Trump fan that Trump is a lefty. They'd just as soon think you're telling them that you think Trump is a Smallmouth Bass named Steve.

But he would be quite a bit less dangerous if he were the fish...

[MDlaxfan76]

And as Afan has reminded us all time & again. Trump is a closet Democrat, which by the support of Trump, makes us righties more center/center-left. We are closer than we think.

Interesting. Obviously, Afan was privy to observations/conversations that I didn't have. Trump used to brag at our NYCMBC meetings that he was THE ONLY DEMOCRAT IN THE ROOM. TRUMP IN THE CLOSET? HARDLY. No flaming way. Every few months, Koch asked TRUMP to explain to we Republicans on the Council, precisely what makes a person a DEMOCRAT. His answers were hilarious. So were Ed's eye rolls.

When Bloomberg was elected, Trump resigned from the Council. Guess he had no use for a Republican mayor.

Perhaps Afan and I can swap notes.I'm curious why he thought Trump is closeted.

I've never said he's closeted, that was MDlax's addition to my sentiment that Trump is a lefty.

I agree completely that his proclivities are right there for all to see. But try telling a Trump fan that Trump is a lefty. They'd just as soon think you're telling them that you think Trump is a Smallmouth Bass named Steve.

Thanks for the attribution, but "closeted" was not my phrase.
I only chimed in that the word indeed didn't fit back when Trump was quite vocal about being a Dem, then suddenly switched how he portrays himself. So, 'closeted' would best fit present tense.

IMO, he's pure and simple a con man, authoritarian. Same as always.

[MDlaxfan76]

I think the real concern is the other one: he's a political apostle without the stones to let the President know that the intelligence suggests something that doesn't help Trump get re-elected.

That can cut both ways. If Trump trusts his DNI, he's more likely to believe the intel the DNI brings him.
Trump won't be as likely to question his loyalty. He can give Trump unclass briefs via FNC.
The DNI is primarily a front man for the IC, who can make their case to the WH & Congress.
...& cuddle with Andrea Mitchell at Aspen.

So, of course, here's the problem.

If Trump 'trusts' Ratcliffe is that because the Rat will tell him the truth about the IC's assessments?

Or because the Rat will tell Trump what he wants to hear?

Will the Rat tell Congress the truth about the IC's assessments or will he not?

And finally, will the IC trust the Rat to tell the truth?

[Trinity]

Our allies might stop telling us anything, watching Trump try to deliver the Arab Bomb.

[old salt]

I think the real concern is the other one: he's a political apostle without the stones to let the President know that the intelligence suggests something that doesn't help Trump get re-elected.

That can cut both ways. If Trump trusts his DNI, he's more likely to believe the intel the DNI brings him.
Trump won't be as likely to question his loyalty. He can give Trump unclass briefs via FNC.
The DNI is primarily a front man for the IC, who can make their case to the WH & Congress.
...& cuddle with Andrea Mitchell at Aspen.

Our allies might stop telling us anything, watching Trump try to deliver the Arab Bomb.

So, of course, here's the problem.

If Trump 'trusts' Ratcliffe is that because the Rat will tell him the truth about the IC's assessments?

Or because the Rat will tell Trump what he wants to hear?

Will the Rat tell Congress the truth about the IC's assessments or will he not?

And finally, will the IC trust the Rat to tell the truth?

You might want to wait & see what the IG & US Atty's Huber & Durham find.
Maybe Radcliffe's been a truth teller in what he's said about the IC.

Would you prefer a truth teller like Comey or McCabe as DNI ? They're available.

Would our allies prefer the Arabs partner with the Russians in building nuc power plants ?