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Congressional Investigations Into Trump White House

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    H0b0manH0b0man Registered User regular
    Ya it does. What did you think an exit pole was?

    FFXIV: Agran Trask
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    klemmingklemming Registered User regular
    Gaddez wrote: »
    klemming wrote: »
    So Trump's confirming that he's launching a campaign of grievance, persecution and resentment?
    I mean, I'm not surprised he's doing it, just him confirming it so easily.

    You're surprised that trump would campaign on naked pettiness? After the past 4 years?

    Not him doing it, him saying it in those words. I'd expect him to describe it has greatness (things that will make him money), fair play (so everyone's allowed to give him money in return for favoursbasking in his greatness) and justice (punishing people who are mean to him or oppose him in any way).

    Nobody remembers the singer. The song remains.
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    GaddezGaddez Registered User regular
    klemming wrote: »
    Gaddez wrote: »
    klemming wrote: »
    So Trump's confirming that he's launching a campaign of grievance, persecution and resentment?
    I mean, I'm not surprised he's doing it, just him confirming it so easily.

    You're surprised that trump would campaign on naked pettiness? After the past 4 years?

    Not him doing it, him saying it in those words. I'd expect him to describe it has greatness (things that will make him money), fair play (so everyone's allowed to give him money in return for favoursbasking in his greatness) and justice (punishing people who are mean to him or oppose him in any way).

    Dude ran on being a shit lord the first time around and routinely punched down throughout his entire history so him running on it in 2020 when he has an enemies list that would take a month to finish reading shouldn't be a surprise at this point at all.

    It's petty dictator 101 afterall.

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    monikermoniker Registered User regular
    https://abc7chicago.com/politics/ex-gov-rod-blagojevich-sentence-to-be-commuted-by-trump/5943695/

    There is not enough profanity in existence to express my feelings right now. Even including German. When are Stone's and Flynn's sentencing, again? Because it looks like he's foaming the runway to pardon them on their way out of court.

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    Undead ScottsmanUndead Scottsman Registered User regular
    edited February 2020
    He also pardoned tge former 49'ers owner

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-pardons-former-san-francisco-49ers-owner-edward-debartolo/2020/02/18/e47f9ed6-526a-11ea-9e47-59804be1dcfb_story.html
    President Trump has granted clemency for Edward DeBartolo, Jr. the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers football team, who pleaded guilty two decades ago for failing to report a felony.

    Deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, flanked by several former NFL players, announced the full presidential pardon Tuesday morning outside the White House.

    “I take my hat off to Donald Trump for what he did,” said former 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, calling it a “great day.”

    Most Trump clemency grants bypass Justice Dept. and go to well-connected offenders

    DeBartolo testified in a gambling fraud and corruption case against former Louisiana governor Edwin W. Edwards (D) in 1998. DeBartolo said the governor extorted him for $400,000 in exchange for approval of a riverboat casino license. DeBartolo paid the money and the state licensing board unanimously approved his project.

    For failing to report the governor’s bribe, DeBartolo, a billionaire, had to pay $1 million in fines, was placed on two year’s probation and handed the NFL team over to his sister.

    DeBartolo, who spread his campaign donations between Democrats and Republicans for decades, has in the last two years given the maximum contribution just three candidates, all Republicans, according to OpenSecrets donor database.

    There’s no indication that DeBartolo donated to Trump’s presidential campaign, but in 2016 he co-hosted a pre-inauguration day party that honored several individuals close to Trump, including former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and former White House aide Omarosa Manigault.

    Most of Trump’s 24 presidential pardons have gone to well-connected individuals who have a direct line to him or influence among his supporters.

    The DeBartolo family has strong ties to northeastern Ohio, a region likely to be important to Trump’s reelection campaign.

    Undead Scottsman on
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    QuidQuid Definitely not a banana Registered User regular
    Just heard him say through CNN that he's fully allowed to influence Justice Department decisions.

    *sigh*

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    OneAngryPossumOneAngryPossum Registered User regular
    Quid wrote: »
    Just heard him say through CNN that he's fully allowed to influence Justice Department decisions.

    *sigh*

    If nobody says he’s not or attempts to halt him, it’s hard to argue that he’s wrong.

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    Martini_PhilosopherMartini_Philosopher Registered User regular
    Quid wrote: »
    Just heard him say through CNN that he's fully allowed to influence Justice Department decisions.

    *sigh*

    Given how he's surrounded by nothing but yesmen, it's no surprise he says/thinks this. He's gotten rid of everyone who even come close to telling him no, of cautioning him against bad ideas, or are willing to comport themselves properly.

    All opinions are my own and in no way reflect that of my employer.
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    DevoutlyApatheticDevoutlyApathetic Registered User regular
    Literally just pro corruption now.

    Nod. Get treat. PSN: Quippish
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    nexuscrawlernexuscrawler Registered User regular
    Its only going to get worse from here

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    Jealous DevaJealous Deva Registered User regular
    I mean the man literally had the only body of oversight with any theoretical authority over him stage a mock trial with no witnesses or evidentiary review to declare him innocent of all crimes he may have committed or may yet commit.

    It’s like the quote from catch 22 about the soldiers harrassing the Italian girls: “They have the right to do anything we can’t stop them from doing”

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    I ZimbraI Zimbra Worst song, played on ugliest guitar Registered User regular
    Former NY police commissioner Bernie Kerik also got a pardon today.

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    nexuscrawlernexuscrawler Registered User regular
    I Zimbra wrote: »
    Former NY police commissioner Bernie Kerik also got a pardon today.

    that mobbed up fucker?

    figures

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    QuidQuid Definitely not a banana Registered User regular
    Also getting real fucking tired of hearing things like "he's been in jail for eight years which has been really hard on his family" when we have millions of others locked up for longer for less.

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    I ZimbraI Zimbra Worst song, played on ugliest guitar Registered User regular
    Jesus Christ, Michael Milken too.

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    DoodmannDoodmann Registered User regular
    I want to ask trump supporters how they feel about this. Because I'm baffled and angered by it...but I think for different reasons than they would/should be?

    Whippy wrote: »
    nope nope nope nope abort abort talk about anime
    I like to ART
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    PreacherPreacher Registered User regular
    Quid wrote: »
    Also getting real fucking tired of hearing things like "he's been in jail for eight years which has been really hard on his family" when we have millions of others locked up for longer for less.

    Yeah you can go on twitter and find horrifying sentences handed down to minorities that nobody is getting anything for.

    I would like some money because these are artisanal nuggets of wisdom philistine.

    pleasepaypreacher.net
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    Senna1Senna1 Registered User regular
    Quid wrote: »
    Just heard him say through CNN that he's fully allowed to influence Justice Department decisions.

    *sigh*

    If nobody says he’s not or attempts to halt him, it’s hard to argue that he’s wrong.
    IS he wrong?

    Like, 'we' all want him to be, but AFAIK, it's all just norms and tradition since Nixon that are the substance of the 'invisible wall' between POTUS and DoJ investigations. He's just been given assurances of no meaningful congressional oversight whatsoever by the senate, and the GOP base thinks this is all awesome and is all of the sudden happy to grant the POTUS dictatorial powers because reasons.

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    GONG-00GONG-00 Registered User regular
    Literally just pro corruption now.

    Given their propensity to rules lawyer, absorbing the swamp is draining it...

    Black lives matter.
    Law and Order ≠ Justice
    ACNH Island Isla Cero: DA-3082-2045-4142
    Captain of the SES Comptroller of the State
    xu257gunns6e.png
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    ArcTangentArcTangent Registered User regular
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I want to ask trump supporters how they feel about this. Because I'm baffled and angered by it...but I think for different reasons than they would/should be?

    You're baffled and angered by it, ergo, they think it's great. It's a group built on Owning the Libs. Anything that makes you unhappy or upset is by definition a good thing.

    ztrEPtD.gif
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    DoodmannDoodmann Registered User regular
    edited February 2020
    ArcTangent wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I want to ask trump supporters how they feel about this. Because I'm baffled and angered by it...but I think for different reasons than they would/should be?

    You're baffled and angered by it, ergo, they think it's great. It's a group built on Owning the Libs. Anything that makes you unhappy or upset is by definition a good thing.

    I want to know what they think about it out of the context of me being mad about it.

    pardoning Blagojevich is not "owning the libs"

    Doodmann on
    Whippy wrote: »
    nope nope nope nope abort abort talk about anime
    I like to ART
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    monikermoniker Registered User regular
    Doodmann wrote: »
    ArcTangent wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I want to ask trump supporters how they feel about this. Because I'm baffled and angered by it...but I think for different reasons than they would/should be?

    You're baffled and angered by it, ergo, they think it's great. It's a group built on Owning the Libs. Anything that makes you unhappy or upset is by definition a good thing.

    I want to know what they think about it out of the context of me being mad about it.

    pardoning Blagojevich is not "owning the libs"

    Mercy is an easy sell. Especially when it isn't being granted to those people.

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    TomantaTomanta Registered User regular
    Doodmann wrote: »
    ArcTangent wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I want to ask trump supporters how they feel about this. Because I'm baffled and angered by it...but I think for different reasons than they would/should be?

    You're baffled and angered by it, ergo, they think it's great. It's a group built on Owning the Libs. Anything that makes you unhappy or upset is by definition a good thing.

    I want to know what they think about it out of the context of me being mad about it.

    pardoning Blagojevich is not "owning the libs"

    Libs care about corruption. Commuting Blago (not pardoning, not that it matters) is a pro-corruption stance.

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    ButtersButters A glass of some milks Registered User regular
    Tomanta wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    ArcTangent wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I want to ask trump supporters how they feel about this. Because I'm baffled and angered by it...but I think for different reasons than they would/should be?

    You're baffled and angered by it, ergo, they think it's great. It's a group built on Owning the Libs. Anything that makes you unhappy or upset is by definition a good thing.

    I want to know what they think about it out of the context of me being mad about it.

    pardoning Blagojevich is not "owning the libs"

    Libs care about corruption. Commuting Blago (not pardoning, not that it matters) is a pro-corruption stance.

    But they also hate almost everyone with a D after their name and Blago was a Democratic Congressman and Governor. I am confused by this decision as well.

    PSN: idontworkhere582 | CFN: idontworkhere | Steam: lordbutters | Amazon Wishlist
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    PreacherPreacher Registered User regular
    Butters wrote: »
    Tomanta wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    ArcTangent wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I want to ask trump supporters how they feel about this. Because I'm baffled and angered by it...but I think for different reasons than they would/should be?

    You're baffled and angered by it, ergo, they think it's great. It's a group built on Owning the Libs. Anything that makes you unhappy or upset is by definition a good thing.

    I want to know what they think about it out of the context of me being mad about it.

    pardoning Blagojevich is not "owning the libs"

    Libs care about corruption. Commuting Blago (not pardoning, not that it matters) is a pro-corruption stance.

    But they also hate almost everyone with a D after their name and Blago was a Democratic Congressman and Governor. I am confused by this decision as well.

    Because I hate myself I was on twitter looking at the reasoning and according to pardoned felon Dinesh DeSouza its a mistaken conspiracy theory belief that Obama was behind Blago selling his senate seat.

    I would like some money because these are artisanal nuggets of wisdom philistine.

    pleasepaypreacher.net
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    MorganVMorganV Registered User regular
    He also pardoned tge former 49'ers owner

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-pardons-former-san-francisco-49ers-owner-edward-debartolo/2020/02/18/e47f9ed6-526a-11ea-9e47-59804be1dcfb_story.html
    President Trump has granted clemency for Edward DeBartolo, Jr. the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers football team, who pleaded guilty two decades ago for failing to report a felony.

    Deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, flanked by several former NFL players, announced the full presidential pardon Tuesday morning outside the White House.

    “I take my hat off to Donald Trump for what he did,” said former 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, calling it a “great day.”

    Most Trump clemency grants bypass Justice Dept. and go to well-connected offenders

    DeBartolo testified in a gambling fraud and corruption case against former Louisiana governor Edwin W. Edwards (D) in 1998. DeBartolo said the governor extorted him for $400,000 in exchange for approval of a riverboat casino license. DeBartolo paid the money and the state licensing board unanimously approved his project.

    For failing to report the governor’s bribe, DeBartolo, a billionaire, had to pay $1 million in fines, was placed on two year’s probation and handed the NFL team over to his sister.

    DeBartolo, who spread his campaign donations between Democrats and Republicans for decades, has in the last two years given the maximum contribution just three candidates, all Republicans, according to OpenSecrets donor database.

    There’s no indication that DeBartolo donated to Trump’s presidential campaign, but in 2016 he co-hosted a pre-inauguration day party that honored several individuals close to Trump, including former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and former White House aide Omarosa Manigault.

    Most of Trump’s 24 presidential pardons have gone to well-connected individuals who have a direct line to him or influence among his supporters.

    The DeBartolo family has strong ties to northeastern Ohio, a region likely to be important to Trump’s reelection campaign.

    I don't understand some of these. Blagojevich is different, because he was still in prison. But DeBartolo, Kerik and Milken (of those mentioned in thread) had already served their sentences/paid their fines, so I'm not sure what this does.

    Because isn't there a ruling that a pardon is considered an admission of guilt? So, what's the upside at that point?

    Is it just relying on the ignorance of the public? That they'll think a pardon is an absolvement of guilt?

    Not that it matters, I guess. Anyone pardoned by Trump is tainted by the process.

    Even Alice Marie Johnson (Kardashian's pet project), because she wasn't freed because she was deserving of clemency (which it seems she was). She was freed because a celebrity sucked up to Trump. And I don't bemoan her accepting it. Anyone IN prison offered an out (even if it meant admitting guilt) taking it, is understandable.

    But that's Trump's America. Corruption of the judicial process by dint of access to the President.

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    ArbitraryDescriptorArbitraryDescriptor changed Registered User regular
    MorganV wrote: »
    He also pardoned tge former 49'ers owner

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-pardons-former-san-francisco-49ers-owner-edward-debartolo/2020/02/18/e47f9ed6-526a-11ea-9e47-59804be1dcfb_story.html
    President Trump has granted clemency for Edward DeBartolo, Jr. the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers football team, who pleaded guilty two decades ago for failing to report a felony.

    Deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, flanked by several former NFL players, announced the full presidential pardon Tuesday morning outside the White House.

    “I take my hat off to Donald Trump for what he did,” said former 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, calling it a “great day.”

    Most Trump clemency grants bypass Justice Dept. and go to well-connected offenders

    DeBartolo testified in a gambling fraud and corruption case against former Louisiana governor Edwin W. Edwards (D) in 1998. DeBartolo said the governor extorted him for $400,000 in exchange for approval of a riverboat casino license. DeBartolo paid the money and the state licensing board unanimously approved his project.

    For failing to report the governor’s bribe, DeBartolo, a billionaire, had to pay $1 million in fines, was placed on two year’s probation and handed the NFL team over to his sister.

    DeBartolo, who spread his campaign donations between Democrats and Republicans for decades, has in the last two years given the maximum contribution just three candidates, all Republicans, according to OpenSecrets donor database.

    There’s no indication that DeBartolo donated to Trump’s presidential campaign, but in 2016 he co-hosted a pre-inauguration day party that honored several individuals close to Trump, including former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and former White House aide Omarosa Manigault.

    Most of Trump’s 24 presidential pardons have gone to well-connected individuals who have a direct line to him or influence among his supporters.

    The DeBartolo family has strong ties to northeastern Ohio, a region likely to be important to Trump’s reelection campaign.

    I don't understand some of these. Blagojevich is different, because he was still in prison. But DeBartolo, Kerik and Milken (of those mentioned in thread) had already served their sentences/paid their fines, so I'm not sure what this does.

    Because isn't there a ruling that a pardon is considered an admission of guilt? So, what's the upside at that point?

    Is it just relying on the ignorance of the public? That they'll think a pardon is an absolvement of guilt?

    Not that it matters, I guess. Anyone pardoned by Trump is tainted by the process.

    Even Alice Marie Johnson (Kardashian's pet project), because she wasn't freed because she was deserving of clemency (which it seems she was). She was freed because a celebrity sucked up to Trump. And I don't bemoan her accepting it. Anyone IN prison offered an out (even if it meant admitting guilt) taking it, is understandable.

    But that's Trump's America. Corruption of the judicial process by dint of access to the President.

    Clemnency vacates the "convicted felon" status and all that comes with it. Milken is also under a lifetime ban from securities stuff; not sure if that would be lifted or if this would give him cause to challenge it.

    (Johnson got her sentence commuted, iirc, not clemnency)

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    Jealous DevaJealous Deva Registered User regular
    I am really not sure as to the point of those pardons other than being symbolic. Pardons have no effect on punishments already rendered (like you can’t get your fines back or get compensated for wrongful imprisonment like you could if the conviction was overturned). So I am not sure if there’s any kind of real point other than symbolism and Trump trying to signal to his followers that corruption is no big deal.

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    ArcTangentArcTangent Registered User regular
    Preacher wrote: »
    Butters wrote: »
    Tomanta wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    ArcTangent wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I want to ask trump supporters how they feel about this. Because I'm baffled and angered by it...but I think for different reasons than they would/should be?

    You're baffled and angered by it, ergo, they think it's great. It's a group built on Owning the Libs. Anything that makes you unhappy or upset is by definition a good thing.

    I want to know what they think about it out of the context of me being mad about it.

    pardoning Blagojevich is not "owning the libs"

    Libs care about corruption. Commuting Blago (not pardoning, not that it matters) is a pro-corruption stance.

    But they also hate almost everyone with a D after their name and Blago was a Democratic Congressman and Governor. I am confused by this decision as well.

    Because I hate myself I was on twitter looking at the reasoning and according to pardoned felon Dinesh DeSouza its a mistaken conspiracy theory belief that Obama was behind Blago selling his senate seat.

    Also, Blagojevich was on the Apprentice with Trump, and is a buddy.

    ztrEPtD.gif
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    Jealous DevaJealous Deva Registered User regular
    MorganV wrote: »
    He also pardoned tge former 49'ers owner

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-pardons-former-san-francisco-49ers-owner-edward-debartolo/2020/02/18/e47f9ed6-526a-11ea-9e47-59804be1dcfb_story.html
    President Trump has granted clemency for Edward DeBartolo, Jr. the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers football team, who pleaded guilty two decades ago for failing to report a felony.

    Deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, flanked by several former NFL players, announced the full presidential pardon Tuesday morning outside the White House.

    “I take my hat off to Donald Trump for what he did,” said former 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, calling it a “great day.”

    Most Trump clemency grants bypass Justice Dept. and go to well-connected offenders

    DeBartolo testified in a gambling fraud and corruption case against former Louisiana governor Edwin W. Edwards (D) in 1998. DeBartolo said the governor extorted him for $400,000 in exchange for approval of a riverboat casino license. DeBartolo paid the money and the state licensing board unanimously approved his project.

    For failing to report the governor’s bribe, DeBartolo, a billionaire, had to pay $1 million in fines, was placed on two year’s probation and handed the NFL team over to his sister.

    DeBartolo, who spread his campaign donations between Democrats and Republicans for decades, has in the last two years given the maximum contribution just three candidates, all Republicans, according to OpenSecrets donor database.

    There’s no indication that DeBartolo donated to Trump’s presidential campaign, but in 2016 he co-hosted a pre-inauguration day party that honored several individuals close to Trump, including former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and former White House aide Omarosa Manigault.

    Most of Trump’s 24 presidential pardons have gone to well-connected individuals who have a direct line to him or influence among his supporters.

    The DeBartolo family has strong ties to northeastern Ohio, a region likely to be important to Trump’s reelection campaign.

    I don't understand some of these. Blagojevich is different, because he was still in prison. But DeBartolo, Kerik and Milken (of those mentioned in thread) had already served their sentences/paid their fines, so I'm not sure what this does.

    Because isn't there a ruling that a pardon is considered an admission of guilt? So, what's the upside at that point?

    Is it just relying on the ignorance of the public? That they'll think a pardon is an absolvement of guilt?

    Not that it matters, I guess. Anyone pardoned by Trump is tainted by the process.

    Even Alice Marie Johnson (Kardashian's pet project), because she wasn't freed because she was deserving of clemency (which it seems she was). She was freed because a celebrity sucked up to Trump. And I don't bemoan her accepting it. Anyone IN prison offered an out (even if it meant admitting guilt) taking it, is understandable.

    But that's Trump's America. Corruption of the judicial process by dint of access to the President.

    Clemnency vacates the "convicted felon" status and all that comes with it. Milken is also under a lifetime ban from securities stuff; not sure if that would be lifted or if this would give him cause to challenge it.

    (Johnson got her sentence commuted, iirc, not clemnency)

    Does this really matter that much though? DeBartolo isn’t going to be applying for a job at McDonalds or something where they give a shot about a criminal record. I guess he can own a gun and vote in some states he couldn’t before?

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    Stabbity StyleStabbity Style He/Him | Warning: Mothership Reporting Kennewick, WARegistered User regular
    ArcTangent wrote: »
    Preacher wrote: »
    Butters wrote: »
    Tomanta wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    ArcTangent wrote: »
    Doodmann wrote: »
    I want to ask trump supporters how they feel about this. Because I'm baffled and angered by it...but I think for different reasons than they would/should be?

    You're baffled and angered by it, ergo, they think it's great. It's a group built on Owning the Libs. Anything that makes you unhappy or upset is by definition a good thing.

    I want to know what they think about it out of the context of me being mad about it.

    pardoning Blagojevich is not "owning the libs"

    Libs care about corruption. Commuting Blago (not pardoning, not that it matters) is a pro-corruption stance.

    But they also hate almost everyone with a D after their name and Blago was a Democratic Congressman and Governor. I am confused by this decision as well.

    Because I hate myself I was on twitter looking at the reasoning and according to pardoned felon Dinesh DeSouza its a mistaken conspiracy theory belief that Obama was behind Blago selling his senate seat.

    Also, Blagojevich was on the Apprentice with Trump, and is a buddy.

    I assumed it was mostly his wife being a regular on Fox News asking for a pardon and Blagojevich writing pro-Trump op-eds.

    Stabbity_Style.png
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    nexuscrawlernexuscrawler Registered User regular
    Trumps warming up for his bigger pardons

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    GiantGeek2020GiantGeek2020 Registered User regular
    Trumps warming up for his bigger pardons

    You're right. He's probably going to gish-gallop pardons.

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    CelestialBadgerCelestialBadger Registered User regular
    Perhaps Blagojevich has some dirt on Bidensome Democratic establishment types?

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    MarathonMarathon Registered User regular
    Perhaps Blagojevich has some dirt on Bidensome Democratic establishment types?

    Blago might be mad at Obama and blame him for his going to jail? Maybe he and Trump can hang out and talk shit about Obama.

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    TastyfishTastyfish Registered User regular
    edited February 2020
    Maybe he's just getting paid for it with some other favour (by the one being pardoned, or someone who wants a favour from the one being pardoned)?

    Tastyfish on
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    ArbitraryDescriptorArbitraryDescriptor changed Registered User regular
    MorganV wrote: »
    He also pardoned tge former 49'ers owner

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-pardons-former-san-francisco-49ers-owner-edward-debartolo/2020/02/18/e47f9ed6-526a-11ea-9e47-59804be1dcfb_story.html
    President Trump has granted clemency for Edward DeBartolo, Jr. the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers football team, who pleaded guilty two decades ago for failing to report a felony.

    Deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, flanked by several former NFL players, announced the full presidential pardon Tuesday morning outside the White House.

    “I take my hat off to Donald Trump for what he did,” said former 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice, calling it a “great day.”

    Most Trump clemency grants bypass Justice Dept. and go to well-connected offenders

    DeBartolo testified in a gambling fraud and corruption case against former Louisiana governor Edwin W. Edwards (D) in 1998. DeBartolo said the governor extorted him for $400,000 in exchange for approval of a riverboat casino license. DeBartolo paid the money and the state licensing board unanimously approved his project.

    For failing to report the governor’s bribe, DeBartolo, a billionaire, had to pay $1 million in fines, was placed on two year’s probation and handed the NFL team over to his sister.

    DeBartolo, who spread his campaign donations between Democrats and Republicans for decades, has in the last two years given the maximum contribution just three candidates, all Republicans, according to OpenSecrets donor database.

    There’s no indication that DeBartolo donated to Trump’s presidential campaign, but in 2016 he co-hosted a pre-inauguration day party that honored several individuals close to Trump, including former Trump attorney Michael Cohen and former White House aide Omarosa Manigault.

    Most of Trump’s 24 presidential pardons have gone to well-connected individuals who have a direct line to him or influence among his supporters.

    The DeBartolo family has strong ties to northeastern Ohio, a region likely to be important to Trump’s reelection campaign.

    I don't understand some of these. Blagojevich is different, because he was still in prison. But DeBartolo, Kerik and Milken (of those mentioned in thread) had already served their sentences/paid their fines, so I'm not sure what this does.

    Because isn't there a ruling that a pardon is considered an admission of guilt? So, what's the upside at that point?

    Is it just relying on the ignorance of the public? That they'll think a pardon is an absolvement of guilt?

    Not that it matters, I guess. Anyone pardoned by Trump is tainted by the process.

    Even Alice Marie Johnson (Kardashian's pet project), because she wasn't freed because she was deserving of clemency (which it seems she was). She was freed because a celebrity sucked up to Trump. And I don't bemoan her accepting it. Anyone IN prison offered an out (even if it meant admitting guilt) taking it, is understandable.

    But that's Trump's America. Corruption of the judicial process by dint of access to the President.

    Clemnency vacates the "convicted felon" status and all that comes with it. Milken is also under a lifetime ban from securities stuff; not sure if that would be lifted or if this would give him cause to challenge it.

    (Johnson got her sentence commuted, iirc, not clemnency)

    Does this really matter that much though? DeBartolo isn’t going to be applying for a job at McDonalds or something where they give a shot about a criminal record. I guess he can own a gun and vote in some states he couldn’t before?

    Milken is the only one of the time-served group that I could see benefitting. Unless the rest would be up for some coushy diplomatic post somewhere but for their felon status.

    May be worth noting: Trump was hanging out at a $10+m fundraiser at the home of a dude who made his fortune on Milken's junk this weekend.

    https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/15/politics/trump-fundraiser-nelson-peltz/index.html

    https://www.investopedia.com/terms/n/nelson-peltz.asp

    Rather than Milken et al being a warm up for Stone, the others could just be cover for this particular bribe. (Again, Milken being one of the few who might benefit if it lets him play with the SEC again)

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    CelestialBadgerCelestialBadger Registered User regular
    Marathon wrote: »
    Perhaps Blagojevich has some dirt on Bidensome Democratic establishment types?

    Blago might be mad at Obama and blame him for his going to jail? Maybe he and Trump can hang out and talk shit about Obama.

    Blagojevich is slimey enough to make up some lie saying he and Obama were both in on the crime.

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    KamarKamar Registered User regular
    edited February 2020
    Marathon wrote: »
    Perhaps Blagojevich has some dirt on Bidensome Democratic establishment types?

    Blago might be mad at Obama and blame him for his going to jail? Maybe he and Trump can hang out and talk shit about Obama.

    Blagojevich is slimey enough to make up some lie saying he and Obama were both in on the crime.

    Oh, thanks, now the anxiety-riddled part of my brain can enjoy the thought that this somehow leads to Trump having Obama arrested.

    Kamar on
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    Undead ScottsmanUndead Scottsman Registered User regular
    Trump pardoning Blago says, to me, that he's willing to buy some Senate seats.

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