Glomar testimony at the Senate hearing

[The_jackalope]

There's a lot of GLOMAR from the witnesses in the open Senate Intelligence Committee hearing this morning, on whether there was political interference in the Russia investigations.

"I will not address these questions in an open hearing" sounds a lot like, "You bet your sweet patoot there was, but I ain't about to crucify myself on public television. When we get into closed session I'll sing like a canary. For now, please go fuck yourself."

IMO McCabe, Rogers, Rosenstein and Coats are showing why they are in senior LE and Intelligence positions.

[leftstreet]

1. Then why is this an open hearing?

Could it be our dear elected officials ALL want this to go away?

[The_jackalope]

2. That's not the impression I have.

Republicans want it to go away, Democrats do not. Though their questions may have superficial similarities, I think the motives for asking them are different. Or maybe I'm just biased.

It's an open hearing because that's how one level of democratic government is supposed to work. the topic of the hearing is 702. The questions about Trump's conversations with Comey are opportunistic and off-topic.

[Nictuku]

5. The purpose of this hearing is to re-approve a FISA rule/law

Which doesn't mean they shouldn't answer the questions being asked, but the open hearing has more to do with surveillance laws being extended.

[leftstreet]

6. How boring! How unsexy!

But seriously, why would any of us (normally) care enough about surveillance laws to warrant an open hearing?

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

[TNLib]

3. I'm not sure what the point of public hearings are

They don't want to give answers to American public.

I guess we have to rely on leakers and the press for answers.

[The_jackalope]

4. The ostensible topic of this hearing is 702.

Public hearings on the pros and cons of re-confirming 702 are legitimate and desirable. We have no control over what side alleys the Senators choose to explore.

[old guy]

7. One word comes to mind; Kabuki.