brickhistory

C'mon, we've all seen enough UCMJ shenanagins lately to know this stuff: Former ADM Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, also formerly CINCPACFLT, was caught up in the Fat Leonard scandal among other nefarious goings-on. Since the last grade he served honorably was O-6, he was reduced in rank to that. Since he will have a dishonorable discharge DD-214 when he finally gets out, he can't go airlines. Also, since he's on the hook (no pun intended) for some serious, and seemingly unending, alimony payments to former smokeshow, now ex-dependapotamus, Kelly McGillis, he has to stay in to make ends meet. Thus, he's the investigating officer for the F-18 (and other jets) OBOGS issue. The extra 40 lbs he's packing since his Top Gun days aren't helping either... It's not that hard a plot to go with...

Mostly concur. Never been a fan of the comic book movie genre, but Deadpool 1 was very funny with its self-awareness and deprecation. Deadpool 2 was more of the same. Mindless, but very funny mostly. Really laughed at a couple of the end of credits bits.

Ah, yes. Ben Sasse. Voted for him when I lived in Omaha based on his campaign promises and his reputation. Then, of course, he decides that borders are optional, among other not conservative stances. I can't vote against him now due to having moved, but I will contribute to his next primary opponent. NE doesn't appear enamored of him either. Jeff Flake is macho compared to ol' Ben, a neverTrump'er of the 1st magnitude. But Ben does make a mean Bill Maher show guest...

Indeed. And, in my mind, one who felt most entitled, Hillary, is not in the White House. So there's that. But to the post at hand, then https://hotair.com/archives/2010/04/29/obama-i-do-think-at-a-certain-point-youve-made-enough-money/ now https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/barack-michelle-obama-netflix-deal-1202817723/ Or, traveling in the way, way back machine, how a broke Barry Obama scored a really sweet real estate deal on some choice Chicago property and the guy who brokered the deal is doing time for shady real estate shenanigans. Purely coincidental. Interesting to also note the Hillary Clinton income stream has dried up since her loss. Wonder why?

The linked essay is from The Federalist, a right-leaning outlet but usually has very good contributors who write thoughtful articles. It's editorial position does not change the facts therein. For those who think Trump is the harbinger of the Apocalypse, please, consider both your and most of the media's positions, if you substituted "Obama" and replaced it with "Trump." Obama shredded the Constitution, with the willingly cooperation of Congress, Republican and Democrat, and most of the media. Those that did object publicly were shouted down with "racist." See above for those who didn't think of him as the messiah but just a naughty boy. (And "boy" is a Monty Python reference not a derogatory racial reference.) Don't be shocked when the current group does it or more. https://thefederalist.com/2018/05/29/obama-says-didnt-scandals/

Ok No bleating when the right uses those impartial institutions and methods for its political gain.

Yes, he did. Probably, but that is the price one pays for accepting command. If he, and you using your argument, are willing to take the kudos when things go right, largely because of your subordinates, then the reverse should be true as well. You are responsible for the actions, particularly the duty-related ones, for those under your command. Why did people under his supervision lose a box of grenades and why is a weapon missing? In North Dakota? Especially the gun. Those are accounted for so many times it's not even funny. Yet this one wasn't discovered until another goof caused an inventory. If his people didn't either respect, best case, or fear, worst case, him and do the things they are supposed to do, then that is on him. He did not lead/train his subordinates who, in turn, let this happen. Gutless AF leadership? Yep. Wheels are round as well. Throwing people under the bus? Said bus uses those round wheels. Nope.

Or padding for mission justification - manning, budget, etc. Check sarcasm detector; reset lamp...

From the article: The 90th Civil Engineer Squadron is part of the 90th Mission Support Group, and provides civil engineering support to more than 29,000 active duty and reserve service members, family members, and retirees at the missile wing. I did not realize that I, as a retiree, or those of you still in can have your family members, can get civil engineering support.

What could possibly go wrong? https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2018/05/17/tsa-keeps-list-combative-travelers/619527002/

Does anyone find it curious that the same media outlets that did their utmost to publish damaging material about the CIA, FBI, etc previously are now their staunchest defenders? The other side of the coin fits as well. Conservative media trashing those same institutions. My bias shows in that the damaging information being revealed now is the overtly political activity against US persons. I'm agin the federal government being used that way.

Add a SAW to that missing list. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/disappearance-of-weapons-at-air-force-base-prompts-investigation/ar-AAxul89?ocid=spartanntp

Brits were calling it "Dave" a while back. Dunno currently.

And this is why we can't break nice things... https://dailycaller.com/2018/05/17/air-force-sorry-tweet-terrorists/

So much for comity. (See what I did there?) And as I stated, it is interesting to note how the same facts can be looked at and two different conclusions drawn. I look forward to the current Ambassador to the UN requesting the IDs of multiple US citizens as the last one did. I look forward to the current DNI lying under oath to Congress as the last one did. I look forward to the current FBI director providing government-owned and classified at the time (per the DOJ IG) memos to a 'friend' who also happened to be an FBI special employee who in turn leaked that information to the press. I look forward to the next NIE being produced and reviewed by the current CIA director's hand-picked analysts by only the FBI, CIA, and, if memory serves, one other instead of the entire IC as is the SOP. To which the then director of the NSA disagreed with the findings, but the dissenting section was also omitted unlike every other NIE. And other facts that are known. So conspiracy theory? I'm not thinking so, but I do know that those on the other side of the spectrum would be lighting torches in the street if the roles were reversed. And they are going to be if those who abused, or allowed to be abused, the instruments of national power for partisan political advantage. Politics is a full-contact sport. No problem with politicians engaging in mud fights. Professional, executive branch institutions and individuals are not supposed to knowingly help one side or the other. If those who have done so aren't punished now, it will only get worse.

If you have classified e-mails on your personal server, you can be charged under the Espionage Act of 1917 among other USC violations. Numerous examples from the previous Administration that didn't involve handing over secrets to another country, just had classified where they shouldn't have. As to the rest of your post, I disagree I stand by my interpretation of the facts/info that I know of to expect government powers to be misused even more often and further. edited to add: Interesting to note that two reasonably intelligent (an assumption regarding both) people can read an article and draw largely different conclusions as to the important points. 🍺

FBI/DOJ's story on the when and why they started investigating the Trump campaign continues to unravel. See NYT for poorly written article. Informative because it states, including exactly when said investigation began, so to me, that implies the leaker was involved in order to know such details, and that involved a small, unofficial group of FBI agents, five or less. Who happened to be part of the same group who were on the Hillary e-mail/espionage investigation. Poorly written because it contradicts itself by stating mid-way through the article that the senior DOJ Nat'l Security lawyer was involved and that then Deputy DOJ Atty Gen Yates said they were low-key efforts. So she knew about it. And that Comey, then Director of the FBI was briefed occasionally on it. So he knew. So, sure, I probably need to apply a fresh coat of peanut butter to my tinfoil hat, but here is another piece of the powerful law enforcement and/or IC institutions of government being used for political gain or intel in order to acquire gain. Sure as sh1t, the right will do it as well. No complaining when it does if heads don't roll now. -Unmasking of numerous US citizens who just happen to be opposition party -FBI Director leaking classified to the press -FISA warrants obtained using opposition research etc etc etc/

Agreed. Although the author stated a cogent truism as noted by the "17 years of careerists captured in one sentence, Big Blue has been given numerous intel tippers and target markings. But the institution always has and always will simply shrug with a "It's not me, it's you."

Whether you think it for good or bad, Trump does seem to be actually doing things. Including one that his predecessors of both parties said the US should do, but always held off doing so. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/united-states-opens-its-israeli-embassy-in-jerusalem/ar-AAxfV7K?OCID=ansmsnnews11

So Nobel Peace Prize winner and former President Barack Obama has taken to making derogatory statements about the current Administration's actions in public venues. Today, two former Obama NSC staffers published a NYT editorial recommending that European countries expel US Ambassadors (I know, they should be dead ones, but I digress...) over the US' withdrawing from the Iran deal. Because "if the US doesn't live up to sacred agreements, then this is expected action. " You know, the deal signed by one guy but not a binding treaty and unsigned by another guy as if it never existed.

It was a bad deal to start with. Not to mention the second most egregious example by the previous Administration to do an end run around the founding contract of our system of government - the US Constitution. Any formal agreement (treaty) between the US and any other country that binds us to any action or behavior isn't valid until it is presented to and ratified by the Senate. This J-POS as well as the even worse Paris Climate Accord were done via Obama's infamous "phone and pen." And just as easily undone (except for DACA for some reason espoused by one lower court judge) by the next Administration. If it were such a good deal for the US, then why didn't Obama present it to the Senate? Because he knew he couldn't get it through, so he simply ignored them. And they let him. They voluntarily abrogated one of their basic responsibilities. Which disgusts me even more than the J-POS did.

Speaking of trying to reverse an Administration's (potential) policy: https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2018/05/04/kerry-quietly-seeking-salvage-iran-deal-helped-craft/2fTkGON7xvaNbO0YbHECUL/story.html I thought it was frowned upon (*cough* Logan Act *cough*) for a private citizen to engage in foreign policy. Pretty sure the FBI had a little chat to new NSC Director Flynn about this. Does Kerry get a pass?

Previous guy (I know it's not PC to reference the past lest one learn from it) got the Nobel Peace Prize for not being George W. Bush. I'd be fine if this guy got it for not being Hillary.

So no one can compare the current Administration's accomplishments to the last one. But the last one gets credit for what's occurring now? That's convenient. Ah well, it's still not Hillary in the White House.

SecState Clinton was responsible for the allocation of the Department's budget, regardless of it had been increased or not. The Ambassador on the ground requested, repeatedly, for reliable help. Which was denied repeatedly. I'm betting security at the Lichtenstein Embassy could've been cut to shift some funds, but that's just humorous now. Regardless, a US Ambassador was murdered under the watch of the previous Administration. Which you have conveniently just declared that "whataboutism" is invalid. Which is ironic since the current Administration has stated publicly that much of its agenda is to undue the buffoonery of the previous Administration. Sooo, how does one make the apples to apples comparison if you declare that the old apple can't be looked at? Either way, I reject the premise. But just for fun, here's some "whataboutisms: What about the record number of federal judges approved and in office under the current Administration? What about the potentially historic nK upcoming visit? Whether it's successful or not is still TBD admittedly. What about the consecutive quarters of very strong economic growth? What about the consecutive quarters of lowering unemployment including and especially among minorities? And the list could go on. Compared to that, not having designated but not yet confirmed by the Senate (except, of course, for the just confirmed gay one to Germany so there's that bigotry thing not happening again. And this will be the second time that the Senate's role in confirming the nominated people for all those ambassadorships is ignored), does seem to be a case of effective prioritization. The diplomatic relations between the US and various countries seems to be humming along. With or without a formal ambassador in place. Which is infinitely better than having a dead ambassador. But I'm old-fashioned that way.