The Friday Link for 2/2/18

For this week, let's go with the utter incompetence of the Republicans Party, and their leader, Trump.

I just finished reading what was supposed to be the smoking gun invalidating any need for an investigation into the Trump/Russia affair, the Nunes Memo.  To say it doesn't deliver DOES NOT give it justice.  The Nunes Memo actually does more damage to the defenders of Trump than it helps.

The very abridged version, all of which is validated within the Nunes' memo:

• The FBI DID NOT begin their investigation into Trump/Russia, specifically Carter Page, because of the Steele Dossier.  They began the investigation into him because of Trump Campaign Aide George Papdopoulos getting drunk in London and bragging to Australian diplomats the Russians had the Clinton/DNC emails, and the Trump campaign was very interested in them.  The Australians contacted US authorities. The FBI decided on looking further into Carter Page because of his questionable contacts with the Russians dating back to 2013.
• The Steele Dossier only added to the FBI's case
• Nunes, Trump and the GOP's argument is that because the writer of the Steele Dossier, Michael Steele, was not a fan of Trump's, he should've been discounted.  Their argument is due to Steele's personal dislike, nothing he said can be trusted.  An informant's personal feelings on a person they're informing on are irrelevant to the legal standing of the case.  If the evidence was there, which it was, the warrant would be issued
• The Nunes Memo actually points out Michael Steele's track record is so good, and so admired, his intelligence information is long trusted by the US government.
• Even without the Steele Dossier, the FBI would've EASILY justified a warrant against Carter Page

This was the Republican's memo!!!  THEY wrote it.  THEY edited it.  THEY released it.  They've actually done far more damage against Trump than one can imagine.  The Hill pointed to this and said it proves the Republicans are not built to lead, only to campaign. 

I call it 'they're idiots.'

Further proof.  Earlier this week, Jimmy Kimmel hosted the porn star Stormy Daniels.  Stormy was paid off, allegedly, by Trump in the weeks before the 2016 election to keep quiet about an alleged affair Trump had with her, and possibly other porn stars, in the weeks and months after First Lady Melania had given birth to Baron.  Remarkably, everything seemed to be dismissed just prior to the State of the Union speech, when an alleged denial letter came to light, supposedly from Stormy, which denied Trump and her had ever had an affair.

When Kimmel gets her on the show, he immediately points out the signature from the denial on Tuesday is not her signature, which opens up a can of worms.  Seriously, someone, quite possibly someone in the White House, thought this would go unchecked.  They're idiots.

Here is Kimmel's interview with Stormy Daniels for your Friday Link.  

Patriots win is my guess.  Have a great weekend everyone.