Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

Politics
posted by martyb on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:23AM   Printer-friendly
from the will-no-one-rid-me-of-this-turbulent-priest^W-Attorney-General? dept.

We had two Soylentils submit stories about Attorney General Jeff Sessions:

Trump fires Attorney General Jeff Sessions

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46132348

"US Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been fired by President Donald Trump.

[...] Mr Trump said Mr Sessions will be temporarily replaced by his chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, who has criticised the Russia inquiry.

[...] In a resignation letter, Mr Sessions - a former Alabama senator who was an early supporter of Mr Trump - made clear the decision to go was not his own.

[...] The president cannot directly fire the special counsel, whose investigation Mr Trump has repeatedly decried as a witch hunt. But Mr Sessions' replacement will have the power to fire Mr Mueller or end the inquiry.

[...] Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he looks forward to 'working with President Trump to find a confirmable, worthy successor so that we can start a new chapter at the Department of Justice'.

Mr Graham, of South Carolina, had said last year there would be 'holy hell to pay' if Mr Sessions was ever fired."

[...] House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said: "It is impossible to read Attorney General Sessions' firing as anything other than another blatant attempt by President Trump to undermine & end Special Counsel Mueller's investigation."

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions Resigns

Jeff Sessions is out. The new Acting Attorney General is Matthew G. Whitaker:

President Donald Trump on Wednesday fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions. "At your request I am submitting my resignation," Sessions wrote in a letter to White House chief of staff John Kelly.

Matthew Whitaker will take over as acting attorney general, the President said. Whitaker is expected to take charge of the Russia investigation and special counsel Robert Mueller from Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Whitaker has been openly critical of Mueller and the investigation and Democrats immediately called on him to recuse himself, just as Sessions had.

Tweet.

See also: New acting A.G. criticized Mueller probe several times
What does Jeff Sessions's firing mean for Mueller and the Trump-Russia inquiry?

Greatest Hits:


Original Submission #1Original Submission #2

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
(1)
  • (Score: 2, Funny) by c0lo on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:39AM (4 children)

    by c0lo (156) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:39AM (#759330) Journal

    The dramatic tension already existed but "... is a valid observation in literally any situation" makes it still on topic.
    (large grin)

    --
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
    • (Score: -1, Spam) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:48AM (2 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:48AM (#759333)

      It was shocking to see. It was nothing short of shocking to see a grown man curled up on a sidewalk, bawling like a baby. Yet, that is exactly what dozens of people were witnessing. What tragic event could render a man into such a sad state? A nearby police officer ran to the scene to find out.

      The officer bent over and asked the man what the problem was. In response, the man whispered something to the officer and pointed in a certain direction. The officer looked in the direction the man had pointed and began running towards the source of the problem. Once he arrived in front of the perpetrator lying on the ground, the veteran police officer took out his instrument of justice and began utilizing it.

      Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! The policeman's baton rained down endlessly onto the naked woman's defenseless body. With a look of pure fury on his face, it would not be an exaggeration to call the officer a war god. What could the woman have done to earn such wrath? She said no.

      "No." It was a word that women and children should never utter to men. Yet, when that poor man was on top of her, enjoying her body through force, she said it. Impossible. Impossible, impossible, impossible! This cannot be allowed! For a man to even so much as glance in a woman's direction was a joyous occasion for her. A man utilizing a woman's body was the greatest gift he could bestow upon her! Yet, she had rejected his kindness! This injustice cannot stand! No, the officer would never let it stand!

      Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! Slam! The woman quickly turned into a lump of lifeless meat in the face of absolute brutality. However, the officer was not done yet, oh no. He took out his gun and riddled the woman's worthless body with holes until he was out of ammunition. Then, he set the corpse ablaze so that none would have to look upon it any longer. It was over, and justice had been wrought.

      Cheering. The crowd, having been silent until now, suddenly erupted into a cheer. To see justice unfold before their very eyes, they were fortunate indeed. Everyone present congratulated the officer for his heroism, which he gladly accepted. But, what about the victim? Everyone turned to face a certain man with looks of pity on their faces.

      How would he recover? Was it even possible? The crowd had such thoughts while looking at the man whose rights had been violated by that monster. However, the man's expression made it clear that such thoughts were erroneous.

      On his face was a smile. It was a smile as bright as the sun.

      • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @11:55AM (1 child)

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @11:55AM (#759343)

        geez, girl, soylent isnt a substitute for your full diary.
        go and buy a new one already ...

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:50PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:50PM (#759417)

          She's just frustrated because we haven't implemented the Exterminate Men Angelic Contract System yet.

    • (Score: -1, Spam) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:53AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:53AM (#759334)

      A clown stood in front of a group of six kids and a woman in an ordinary fenced-in backyard. If one were to observe the backyard, they would see balloons of various colors, party hats, cake, and toys. Yes, this was a small birthday party. The clown - who was clearly very passionate about his work - began performing his routine with practiced precision.

      However, nothing happened. No one was reacting. The clown was using his best jokes and tricks, but no one laughed or gasped. In fact, no one made any sounds at all; the yard was deathly silent. The clown - whose name was Boboson - began to sweat; he had never seen such a tough crowd. Boboson thought and thought, but he could not fathom why no one was reacting to anything. "Oh! That's right!" Boboson exclaimed. Yes, he remembered the real reason why this place was so silent; it was all too simple.

      Not a single hair on the heads of the children or woman moved even a millimeter. Why was this? It was simple: Boboson had played with the children and mother before he began his act. To be more precise, he had forced them to play 'privates' with him. And, as what usually happened when he played that game, he had accidentally gotten a bit too playful. Yes, he was too playful, and so their necks snapped. "Damnit! Why does this always happen!?" the clown yelled in frustration, as he lamented the fact that women and children were so fragile. Then, as Boboson was thinking this, he recalled that he had another children's party to get to. It was time to depart.

      The happy-go-lucky clown giggled and bid the inhabitants of the backyard his farewell. Boboson then got into his little car in the most showy way possible and drove off to his next destination. The things in that backyard - the naked corpses of the woman and children - were left behind to slowly decay and rot away. But at least they had played with Boboson.

  • (Score: 5, Interesting) by canopic jug on Thursday November 08 2018, @11:00AM (1 child)

    by canopic jug (3949) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 08 2018, @11:00AM (#759337) Journal

    It's been pointed out that the resignation letter was submitted apparently without a date [emptywheel.net], meaning that it could have been on file for many months. Indeed, the content is generic enough that it can have been written any time during this current regime's reign. Someone on staff might have been planning ahead.

    --
    Money is not free speech. Elections should not be auctions.
    • (Score: 2) by NewNic on Thursday November 08 2018, @06:32PM

      by NewNic (6420) on Thursday November 08 2018, @06:32PM (#759465) Journal

      I have always assumed that the prelude to being nominated to this type of position was giving the President an undated, but signed resignation letter so that he can "resign" you at any time.

      --
      lib·er·tar·i·an·ism ˌlibərˈterēənizəm/ noun: Magical thinking that useful idiots mistake for serious political theory
  • (Score: 0, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @11:59AM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @11:59AM (#759344)

    see! this is what happens when the rigid and solid bars of reality TV cannot contain: it bleeds into reality and everybody is in danger of drowning in soap bubbles ..

    • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @12:33PM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @12:33PM (#759351)

      Aren't soap bubbles supposed to be clean, though?
      'cause what I see resembles more the froth on top of a fermenting pond of pig manure. Similar stench too.

      • (Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @01:06PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @01:06PM (#759357)

        dunno. never been to a politics farm ...

  • (Score: 4, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @12:51PM (10 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @12:51PM (#759354)

    > [...] Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he looks forward to 'working with President Trump to find a confirmable, worthy successor so that we can start a new chapter at the Department of Justice'.
    >
    > Mr Graham, of South Carolina, had said last year there would be 'holy hell to pay' if Mr Sessions was ever fired."

    Much like the Israeli settlements in Palestine (real estate developers in action), there are slow but inexorable changes coming to South Carolina. When I was there a few years ago (in the northern part, not far from Charlotte NC), I saw a lot of new building and most of the houses would qualify as starter castles. Michelin, BMW and other multinationals are bringing population diversity to the state that fired the first shots of the Civil War. Hard to tell how long this civilizing process might take, but the writing is on the wall for the redneck population as gentrification and suburbia creep across SC.

    • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @01:00PM (4 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @01:00PM (#759355)

      That and the hurricanes

      • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:53PM (3 children)

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:53PM (#759399)

        Vote Hurricanes: 2020

    • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Sulla on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:15PM (4 children)

      by Sulla (5173) on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:15PM (#759568) Journal

      What the Dems did during the Kavanaugh hearing seemed to really change Senator Graham, he has been out for blood ever since.

      --
      Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
      • (Score: 2) by canopic jug on Friday November 09 2018, @05:12AM (3 children)

        by canopic jug (3949) Subscriber Badge on Friday November 09 2018, @05:12AM (#759722) Journal

        You could not possibly have watched any part of that testimony either with sound or without [cnn.com] and still come to the conclusion that Kavanaugh was fit for any federal position let alone as a judge. The guy clearly has more than just a screw loose. The "Dems" did not do anything "to" anyone but appeared to be acting for the best interest of the nation. I see now why the Republicans got rid of civics classes from the schools decades ago and how they are (mis)using that ignorance. Regardless of party, the politicians are supposed to be about running the country and making it go forward not tearing it apart or engaging in open sedition.

        --
        Money is not free speech. Elections should not be auctions.
        • (Score: 1) by Sulla on Friday November 09 2018, @03:25PM

          by Sulla (5173) on Friday November 09 2018, @03:25PM (#759892) Journal

          I watched the entire thing including the parts by Ford. How exactly do you expect a person to ask when they are being wrongly accused of the worst crime in America today? He acted better than Thomas did, and Thomas turned out to be a good judge. Either way he was fucked, and defending himself Thomas style worked where as Bork's style did not.

          Boats in Road Island Guy - admitted he lied
          Taxi car rape girl - admitted she lied
          Avanatti claims - withdrawn

          The democrats sat on claims that they knew were iffy until the last minute and then dragged kav's name through the dirt for a political win. Kav wasnt just fighting for himself but for Bork and Thomas who were also wrongly accused. They would have done the same thing with any other judge the republicans put forward.

          --
          Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
        • (Score: 1) by Sulla on Friday November 09 2018, @03:35PM (1 child)

          by Sulla (5173) on Friday November 09 2018, @03:35PM (#759895) Journal

          Specifically ralated to Graham. Graham was told by Obama that the cost of losing an election was that the executive gets judges of their choice, Graham for the sake of unity worked to block any attempts by the republicans to look too deeply into Kagan or Sotomayor feeling that they should only be looked at based on their judicial record. He followed this up by voting for both, this is a big part of why he turned so far to the right. He realizied that bipartisanism is a scam to get republicans to agree with democrats when its a democrat issue but democrats to block anything thats a republican issue.

          --
          Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
          • (Score: 2) by canopic jug on Saturday November 10 2018, @05:25AM

            by canopic jug (3949) Subscriber Badge on Saturday November 10 2018, @05:25AM (#760246) Journal

            He was DQ'd by his junior year of high school. Politics aside, which should be the case since the judges are supposed to be impartial [washingtonpost.com], he demonstrated neither composure nor good judgement. Rather, he not only actively demonstrated the opposite but made it clear that his lack of either was both uncommonly strong and extended back to even his teen years.

            --
            Money is not free speech. Elections should not be auctions.
  • (Score: 5, Insightful) by RandomFactor on Thursday November 08 2018, @01:01PM (27 children)

    by RandomFactor (3682) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 08 2018, @01:01PM (#759356) Journal

    That isn't the AG Trump wants and the AG serves at his pleasure. I've never understood the view that because folks don't like the president he can't actually use his legal authority (and arguably obligation) to staff with more appropriate (from his view) personnel.
    .
    Sessions made the calculation that avoiding the whole Mueller affair was his best path, attempting to preserve job viability with both parties. Anyone who thought that would be a long term recipe for success with Trump is an idiot. Additionally he has achieved the perception of enabling forces opposed to his employer through inaction. This generally leads to similar results anywhere, and typically much more quickly.
    .
    Had he discouraged scope creep and kept the "Russia Collusion" investigation within bounds the calculus would likely have been different, but he would have also burned potential bridges into future non-Trump administrations also.

    I don't know if he did the right thing for himself , his future, or his principles. I just know the results shouldn't surprise anyone.

    --
    В «Правде» нет известий, в «Известиях» нет правды
    • (Score: 5, Insightful) by PiMuNu on Thursday November 08 2018, @02:40PM (11 children)

      by PiMuNu (3823) on Thursday November 08 2018, @02:40PM (#759368)

      > Sessions made the calculation that avoiding the whole Mueller affair was his best path, attempting to preserve job viability with both parties.

      The Trump administration seems to be so incredibly cynical that a statement like this is appropriate.

      > This generally leads to similar results anywhere

      Only if your boss is a sociopath.

      • (Score: 4, Touché) by Phoenix666 on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:01PM (10 children)

        by Phoenix666 (552) on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:01PM (#759377) Journal

        I've never had a boss who wasn't a sociopath.

        --
        Washington DC delenda est.
        • (Score: 2) by PiMuNu on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:14PM (8 children)

          by PiMuNu (3823) on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:14PM (#759407)

          > I've never had a boss who wasn't a sociopath.

          Don't give Trump excuses.

          • (Score: 5, Interesting) by Phoenix666 on Thursday November 08 2018, @06:03PM (7 children)

            by Phoenix666 (552) on Thursday November 08 2018, @06:03PM (#759455) Journal

            Don't act like that's a special state of affairs.

            Sociopaths belong in a leper colony in the South Pacific, not running our banks, companies, or governments.

            As sociopaths go, however, this particular sociopath (accepting the premise that he is a sociopath, for the sake of argument) has done more of what he promised than any other sociopath I've ever seen in government. He did kill the TPP. That is still worth the price of all the rest. He has levied tariffs against China and others who have been taking advantage of lopsided trade agreements for years. He has tried to use the bully pulpit to bring manufacturing back to America. Nobody else has even tried for 30 years. He has taken measures to secure the borders and get tough on illegal immigration; now, that's not an issue I care about but it is something he promised to work on, and he has. He has been a staunch supporter of Israel (again, I couldn't care less about Israel but he promised he'd be a strong supporter and he has been). He promised to get tough on North Korea, and he did. He promised to get tough on Iran, and he did.

            Maybe those things are desirable, and maybe they aren't, but he did promise to do something about them, and he has.

            Personally, I am disgruntled he has not made good on his promise to put Hillary in jail or to drain the Swamp.

            --
            Washington DC delenda est.
            • (Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:55PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:55PM (#759499)

              Wow, so you built up the online-persona just for these time period? I had a feeling you'd turn this way, but wow it still surprises.

              I wasn't sad to see the TPP go, but now it seems likely that all it will do is cut the US out of a variety of trade deals and harm us economically in the long run. I could excuse that ONE item, but then you go on about trump trying to bring back jobs?

              My bet is on you being yet another fake user account. Using the background of a seriously disgruntled Democrat who was personally hurt by the Clintons was a good move. You could vent your true feelings while pretending to be something else.

              You liars should ashamed of yourselves, but hey you probably don't even realize YOU are on of the sociopaths.

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:04PM (1 child)

              by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:04PM (#759507)

              I had a post written up that disproved every single point you made while adding additional things Drumpf fucked up during his first 2 years in office but soylentnews took a dump. So rather than waste another 10 minutes I'll just point out the obvious: You're a fucking idiot if you actually believe your own shit.

              • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:54PM

                by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:54PM (#759594)

                Yup, he suffers from CDS and Trump won him over with his "lock her up" chants.

            • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:15PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:15PM (#759514)

              Personally, I am disgruntled he has not made good on his promise to put Hillary in jail or to drain the Swamp.

              So he did everything he promised to do, except the things of merit.

              Of as the doctors say, the operation was a success but the patient has died.

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:23PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:23PM (#759523)

              Provisions from the TPP are actually being inserted into the USMCA. So much for that.

            • (Score: 2) by NewNic on Friday November 09 2018, @01:27AM

              by NewNic (6420) on Friday November 09 2018, @01:27AM (#759639) Journal

              He has levied tariffs against China and others who have been taking advantage of lopsided trade agreements for years.

              Yeah, about that.. Trump’s Tariffs Have Fully Kicked In—Yet China’s Exports Grow [wsj.com]

              --
              lib·er·tar·i·an·ism ˌlibərˈterēənizəm/ noun: Magical thinking that useful idiots mistake for serious political theory
            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 09 2018, @04:35AM

              by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 09 2018, @04:35AM (#759712)

              > He has levied tariffs against China and others who have been taking advantage of lopsided trade agreements for years. He has tried to use the bully pulpit to bring manufacturing back to America.

              Unfortunately, some of the manufacturing that has come back to USA (before Trump) relies on Asian-made parts. The tariffs have been hell on these small companies.

              Here's one, a rugged-ized tablet assembler, https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/nov/1/buffalo-tablet-maker-bak-usa-suddenly-shuts-ak-usa/ [washingtontimes.com]

              Bak (BAK) USA had shown signs of trouble in recent months, including the layoffs of dozens of workers. Chairman J.P. Bak said in a statement Thursday that unanticipated expenses from tariffs imposed by the White House were a deciding factor in the decision to shut down.

              The company had called itself a social enterprise, hiring from disadvantaged communities and vowing to prove that it’s possible to build computers in the United States.

              Not Foxconn, but not nothing either, they were training people that have often been given up on. Longer story in Buffalo News, but couldn't find it easily.
               

        • (Score: 1) by khallow on Friday November 09 2018, @04:51AM

          by khallow (3766) Subscriber Badge on Friday November 09 2018, @04:51AM (#759716) Journal

          I've never had a boss who wasn't a sociopath.

          I'll note that I never had that problem with bosses though I've had a couple who were moderately delusional. What makes your life experiences any more relevant than mine?

          As to the original couple of postings in this thread, it doesn't take sociopathy to fire someone who is actively and deliberately undermining a work environment. This one-sided psychoanalysis of boss-employee relations really needs an overhaul.

    • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:53PM (4 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:53PM (#759401)

      "Sessions made the calculation that avoiding the whole Mueller affair was his best path, attempting to preserve job viability with both parties."

      Why do you think that was his main concern?
      Sessions certainly has not admitted as much and you, yourself, admit that his actions are inconsistent with that goal. IIRC his stated position was something along the lines of [1] not being willing to compromise his professional ethics and [2] trusting that his subordinates don't need to be micromanaged.

      "I've never understood the view that because folks don't like the president he can't actually use his legal authority (and arguably obligation) to staff with more appropriate (from his view) personnel."

      The main answer is that people who don't like Trump will be appalled at his actions no matter what.
      Another answer is that the president should be held to a higher moral standard for their behavior instead of just what they can legally get away with.

      • (Score: 5, Insightful) by slinches on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:50PM (3 children)

        by slinches (5049) on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:50PM (#759416)

        the president should be held to a higher moral standard for their behavior instead of just what they can legally get away with

        When was the last time that was actually true rather than just the facade of it? Certainly every president in the last 30 years has only given lip service to the notion that Presidents should be held to the highest ethical standards.

        It's not an excuse, but lifting the veil of pretense doesn't really change what's going on, just who is aware of it.

        • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:27PM (2 children)

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:27PM (#759435)

          The opposition party typically takes great pleasure in pointing out these questionably ethical decisions and it probably contributes to the motivation of the opposition party to vote and discourages the encombant party from voting.

          The lack of support and general distaste for Trump and Clinton, within their own party, had more to do with their character and less to do with their policies. While I wouldn't consider this accountability adequate (as it doesn't outweigh party tribalism), it still counts for something.

          Nevertheless, I'd say it is reasonable to try to impose higher ethical standards (beyond just what is legal) on the behavior of elected leaders.

          • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:37PM

            by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:37PM (#759440) Journal

            impose higher ethical standards (beyond just what is legal) on the behavior of elected leaders.

            What would we peons have to talk about then? Just weather and sports? Please, give that idea a break - or six. Just shatter it, alright?

          • (Score: 3, Interesting) by slinches on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:55PM

            by slinches (5049) on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:55PM (#759451)

            I agree with that. I was just pointing out that the lack of accountability (from both party members and the voting public in general) has been an issue for a long time. Maybe by dropping that pretense and exposing the ugliness of the process openly, the Trump administration will unintentionally make it clear how unacceptable this sort of behavior really is. I'm hoping it will help the electorate be able to respect genuine honesty and integrity that will override the tribalistic party loyalties and we can get some politicians into office who are actually good people.

            Though, for that to happen, we will need some help from the media and non-political public figures to stop the escalation of the conflicts that are feeding the divisive nature of current political discourse.

    • (Score: 4, Insightful) by tibman on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:49PM (4 children)

      by tibman (134) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:49PM (#759415)

      Yes, the AG serves at the President's pleasure but the AG also serves the United States. If you were forced to choose loyalty to your Country or to your Boss, which do you pick? Looks to me like Jeff was fired for doing his job and not doing what Trump wanted.

      --
      SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.
      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:43PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:43PM (#759443)

        All AG's please the president. Some when they come in the door, others when they exit through the same door.

      • (Score: 2) by RandomFactor on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:34PM (2 children)

        by RandomFactor (3682) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:34PM (#759488) Journal

        False dichotomy. If his perspective was preemptively that loyalty to his country and his president were opposing, then removing him was the right thing to do.
         
        It's unfortunate because he was very much not a bad AG or bad person and extremely competent. But he is not what Trump wanted in that position.

        --
        В «Правде» нет известий, в «Известиях» нет правды
        • (Score: 2) by tibman on Friday November 09 2018, @12:45AM (1 child)

          by tibman (134) Subscriber Badge on Friday November 09 2018, @12:45AM (#759626)

          What Trump wants changes between every TV commercial.

          --
          SN won't survive on lurkers alone. Write comments.
          • (Score: 2) by RandomFactor on Sunday November 11 2018, @12:35AM

            by RandomFactor (3682) Subscriber Badge on Sunday November 11 2018, @12:35AM (#760528) Journal

            Yeah, I doubt even his most ardent supporters would argue that Trump would not benefit from sanitizing his data inputs (and outputs) a bit.
            .
            On the other hand a President that watches the same news sources as the public, and talks directly to them bypassing all the filters built up over the years to keep that from happening, is disruptive of business as usual in and of itself.
            .
            Trump isn't there because the people wanted another 8 years of rearranging the silverware. They wanted the table kicked over.

            --
            В «Правде» нет известий, в «Известиях» нет правды
    • (Score: 3, Insightful) by urza9814 on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:36PM

      by urza9814 (3954) on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:36PM (#759489) Journal

      That isn't the AG Trump wants and the AG serves at his pleasure. I've never understood the view that because folks don't like the president he can't actually use his legal authority (and arguably obligation) to staff with more appropriate (from his view) personnel.

      Just because it's legal doesn't mean it's ethical, moral, or a good idea.

    • (Score: 3, Informative) by PartTimeZombie on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:37PM (3 children)

      by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:37PM (#759491)

      That seems like a weird way to run a country.

      Surely you guys have rule of law? Maybe the law does not apply to some people.

      • (Score: 3, Insightful) by RandomFactor on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:51PM (1 child)

        by RandomFactor (3682) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:51PM (#759497) Journal

        The President can remove the AG at any time for any reason.
         
        There are many positions like this in the world and government and also many that have more job security. If the implication is that this should not be the case for the AG then there is a legal process to change the law.
         
        Noone is (correctly) saying the President cannot fire the AG. They are saying we don't want him to so we will make a stink.

        --
        В «Правде» нет известий, в «Известиях» нет правды
        • (Score: 3, Informative) by PartTimeZombie on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:24PM

          by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:24PM (#759525)

          I understand that.

          It also seems like the US public have become so desensitized to corruption that this just looks normal.

          I mean even Spiro Agnew didn't go to jail, and he took bribes.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 09 2018, @04:12AM

        by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 09 2018, @04:12AM (#759704)

        Yes. The laws here only apply to those without power and influence (money).

        In the last half century (probably much longer), there isn't a president of the US that would not be behind bars (with most of his cabinet), if laws were fairly applied. E.g., the victims of a mass murderer in the white house, or corporate C-suite/board room are just as dead as the victims of today's* mass shooting spree. The body counts by Reagan, in Guatemala alone, make him a genocidal monster. Per UNICEF, Clinton killed half a million children under the age of 14 with his sanctions against the Iraqi people... Looks like Trump is out to kill Iranian children now.

        * We are on track for an average of one per day for 2018 with 307 mass shootings in 2018 so far.

         

  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by Phoenix666 on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:06PM (10 children)

    by Phoenix666 (552) on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:06PM (#759380) Journal

    There were Sessions boosters who insisted he was the "silent assassin" who was gonna finally bring justice to the land in one fell swoop. To everyone else it looked like a guy who preferred to use that nickname as an excuse to skate.

    Trump could replace him with a real pit bull, but now that he doesn't have the House anymore he's going to have a tough time using him. Everything he does, whether plainly legal or not, is going to incite another House investigation.

    It will all end in tears.

    I would like, however, to see amid all that that the Clintons, Lloyd Blankfein, and Jamie Dimon go to jail for the rest of their lives.

    --
    Washington DC delenda est.
    • (Score: 3, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:55PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @03:55PM (#759404)

      "silent assassin" sounds like someone farted on an elevator

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:31PM (2 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @04:31PM (#759411)

      If you're mad at the clintons then you've been watching the news for as long as 10 years.
      Not to say that I wouldn't mind all the crooked politicians to get the jail they deserve. But if the clintons are the standard then we won't have many people left in government.
      Bu bu bu the emails!! The rapes!!
      Hahahaha yes that is so normal that there is simply no way you pay attention to life. It wasn't like those sort of activities weren't covered in detail when other people did them and got away with it. You just didn't care.

      A perfect servant for the real people who matter. They should make medals for you guys.

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:19PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:19PM (#759426)

        But if the clintons are the standard then we won't have many people left in government.

        And? I fail to see the problem.

      • (Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:59PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:59PM (#759501)

        Phoenix666 is full of shit, just another RWNJ pretending to be an ex-Democrat in order to sell their shit. That account has hammered on Clinton non-stop, which is forgivable except he should be calling from Trump and a variety of others to go to jail as well. Up above he praises Trump!!! The POTUS that is lying every other sentence and trying to divide the country completely is getting praise from a supposed Democrat / independent?

        What a load of crap

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:26PM (5 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:26PM (#759432)

      Trump could replace him with a real pit bull, but now that he doesn't have the House anymore he's going to have a tough time using him. Everything he does, whether plainly legal or not, is going to incite another House investigation.

      I don't think there will be a House investigation, at least not a very serious one and nothing more than a bargaining chip to encourage Trump to step up aggression against Iran, China, and Russia. After midterm elections, Democrats call for bipartisan unity with Trump [wsws.org]:

      During the campaign, the Democrats refused to even speak about Trump’s witch hunt against Central American asylum seekers, the erection of immigrant detention camps or the attack on birthright citizenship. In the midst of new moves by the administration in the direction of war with Russia, Iran and China—the withdrawal from the intermediate nuclear missile treaty, the imposition of savage sanctions against Iran and the escalation of trade war against China—they said nothing about the mounting war danger. They dropped their token opposition to Trump’s tax cuts for the rich.

      The result, hardly the much-vaunted “blue wave,” was what the Democratic Party wanted: An election that would allow Trump to consolidate his control while giving the Democrats more input. As the Democratic leader of the House, Nancy Pelosi, said in the run-up to the vote, control of the House would give the Democrats “leverage.” They intend to use that influence to pressure Trump to pursue a more aggressive confrontation with Russia and a wider war in Syria.

      US midterm vote: Democrats win control of House of Representatives [wsws.org]: "Trump reportedly called Pelosi shortly after her victory statement to congratulate her and discuss future relations between the White House and the Democratic-controlled House."

      Report Says Russia-gaters Should Go Quietly in the Night [consortiumnews.com]:

      In a new article titled “Mueller report PSA: Prepare for disappointment [politico.com]”, Politico cites information provided by defense attorneys and “more than 15 former government officials with investigation experience spanning Watergate to the 2016 election case” to warn everyone who’s been lighting candles at their Saint Mueller altars that their hopes of Trump being removed from office are about to be dashed to the floor.

      “While [Mueller is] under no deadline to complete his work, several sources tracking the investigation say the special counsel and his team appear eager to wrap up,” Politico reports.

      “The public, they say, shouldn’t expect a comprehensive and presidency-wrecking account of Kremlin meddling and alleged obstruction of justice by Trump?—not to mention an explanation of the myriad subplots that have bedeviled lawmakers, journalists and amateur Mueller sleuths,” the report also says, adding that details of the investigation may never even see the light of day. “It will be up to DOJ leaders to make the politically turbo-charged decision of whether to make Mueller’s report public,” Politico reported.

      So that’s it then. An obscene amount of noise and focus, a few indictments and process crime convictions which have nothing to do with Russian collusion, and this three-ring circus of propaganda and delusion is ready to call it a day.

      (More on the support of the party of the "Deporter-in-Chief" for Trump's immigration crackdown: At White House press conference, Trump calls reporter an “enemy of the people” [wsws.org]. That one also has coverage of Sessions' departure.)

      • (Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:42PM (3 children)

        by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @05:42PM (#759442)

        Called Pelosi? He'd be safer french kissing a rabid bulldog. Or, sodomizing a king cobra. Or, being sodomized by a polar bear. Or, even standing on a street corner in Shitcago.

        • (Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:30PM (2 children)

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:30PM (#759484)

          Yes, yes, yes. Because, as we all know, the one thing Republicans are deathly afraid of it is getting Democrat cooties by even being seen to talk to a Democrat in public. *Sigh* When will this country return to sanity?

          • (Score: 2) by RandomFactor on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:41PM (1 child)

            by RandomFactor (3682) Subscriber Badge on Thursday November 08 2018, @07:41PM (#759492) Journal

            If you know a path that leads there gracefully we'll all love to hear it :-p

            --
            В «Правде» нет известий, в «Известиях» нет правды
            • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 09 2018, @02:10AM

              by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 09 2018, @02:10AM (#759656)

              I'd suggest lobotomies for Republicans, but clearly someone's beat me to it.

              The action, not the suggestion.

      • (Score: 1) by Sulla on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:28PM

        by Sulla (5173) on Thursday November 08 2018, @10:28PM (#759577) Journal

        Acosta is the only person in the media who I think is actually an enemy of the people. Acosta was yelling at Kim in the middle of the negotiations because he wanted a soundbite and could have seriously f'd things up.

        --
        Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by VLM on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:37PM (1 child)

    by VLM (445) on Thursday November 08 2018, @08:37PM (#759532)

    Comments not inspiring. Sessions had other issues beyond "Lets talk about Trump" and "Muh fake Russia story".

    His weed law stuff was questionable. His civil asset forfeiture (legalized theft) was questionable.

    On the other hand his policies against invaders were reasonable, as was his "Dear Colleague" letter situation.

    His personal battle with Turkey was simply bizarre, like I don't know what to say. From memory some treasury dept officials spanked some individual Turkish leaders involved in making some missionary a political prisoner, so they responded by freezing some personal assets of Mr Sessions in Turkey, which is just weird.

    He was kind of a mixed bag. Not entirely bad or good.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @09:24PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday November 08 2018, @09:24PM (#759548)

      No one is entirely good or bad, but Sessions was firmly in the realm of darkness.

      Possibly not according to his personal beliefs, but compared to today's standards he is an evil fuck. So are you, but I do wonder why you suddenly started making more reasonable posts instead of your "globalist jews ermagerhd!" type shit?

(1)