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Yorkie Mom
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Yorkie Mom's Journal
March 15, 2018
Putin critic found dead had prepared a hideaway amid fears for his life
Putin critic found dead had prepared a hideaway amid fears for his life, bodyguard reveals
An opponent of Vladimir Putin, who was found dead in his south London home earlier this week, was in such fear for his life that he had prepared a hideaway, a former bodyguard has claimed.
Nikolai Glushkov, 68, who was a close associate of the late Russian oligarch, Boris Berezovsky, was found dead on Monday in unexplained circumstances.
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into his death, amid reports that he may have been strangled.
Last night police appeared to be preparing to dig up the the garden of his home in New Malden, after officers were seen carrying spades into the property.
More: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/14/putin-critic-found-dead-had-prepared-hideaway-amid-fears-life/
An opponent of Vladimir Putin, who was found dead in his south London home earlier this week, was in such fear for his life that he had prepared a hideaway, a former bodyguard has claimed.
Nikolai Glushkov, 68, who was a close associate of the late Russian oligarch, Boris Berezovsky, was found dead on Monday in unexplained circumstances.
Counter-terrorism police are leading the investigation into his death, amid reports that he may have been strangled.
Last night police appeared to be preparing to dig up the the garden of his home in New Malden, after officers were seen carrying spades into the property.
More: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/14/putin-critic-found-dead-had-prepared-hideaway-amid-fears-life/
March 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/benjaminwittes/status/974342324435210240
https://twitter.com/benjaminwittes/status/974343121420111872
Mueller Subpoenas Trump Organization, Demanding Documents About Russia
Source: New York Times
WASHINGTON — The special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, has subpoenaed the Trump Organization to turn over documents, including some related to Russia, according to two people briefed on the matter. The order is the first known time that the special counsel demanded documents directly related to President Trump’s businesses, bringing the investigation closer to the president.
The breadth of the subpoena was not clear, nor was it clear why Mr. Mueller issued it instead of simply asking for the documents from the company, an umbrella organization that oversees Mr. Trump’s business ventures. In the subpoena, delivered in recent weeks, Mr. Mueller ordered the Trump Organization to hand over all documents related to Russia and other topics he is investigating, the people said.
The subpoena is the latest indication that the investigation, which Mr. Trump’s lawyers once regularly assured him would be completed by now, will drag on for at least several more months. Word of the subpoena comes as Mr. Mueller appears to be broadening his investigation to examine the role foreign money may have played in funding Mr. Trump’s political activities. In recent weeks, Mr. Mueller’s investigators have questioned witnesses, including an adviser to the United Arab Emirates, about the flow of Emirati money into the United States.
Neither White House officials nor Alan S. Futerfas, a lawyer representing the Trump Organization, immediately responded to requests for comment. The Trump Organization has typically complied with requests from congressional investigators for documents for their own inquiries into Russian election interference, and there was no indication the company planned to fight Mr. Mueller about it.
Read more: https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/us/politics/trump-organization-subpoena-mueller-russia.html?referer=https://t.co/dPm4fN9ysw?amp=1#click=https://t.co/dPm4fN9ysw
https://twitter.com/benjaminwittes/status/974342324435210240
https://twitter.com/benjaminwittes/status/974343121420111872
March 15, 2018
Russian operatives might have tried to register for the Texas Democratic convention on March 24
Russian operatives might have tried to register for the Texas Democratic convention on March 24
https://twitter.com/RVAwonk/status/974338608831389696
Possible Russian trolls try to register for Texas Democratic convention
by William M. Arkin and Kevin Monahan
Next Saturday, March 24, hundreds of Texas Democratic Party activists will gather at the Austin Hyatt Regency to nominate candidates for political office in Travis County, a kick-off event leading up to the 2018 midterm elections.
But some people who tried to register will not be attending, among them Candida McGruder. Gustavo Chubb. Geraldo Tinsley. Vincent Amundson. Roxie Male.
That's because these five individuals and 43 others who signed up to attend don't appear to be Travis County residents, or Texans, or even Americans. They might not even be real people. They may be pranksters — or they may be Russian trolls, and their appearance in Texas could represent the first public example of foreign probing of the 2018 elections.
Five senior intelligence officers, two current and three former, say the case of the Texas 48 looks like Russian meddling. And they tell NBC News that despite the clumsiness of the failed registrations, the Texas case fits a pattern of Russian behavior seen in its covert operations.
More: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/possible-russian-trolls-try-register-texas-democratic-convention-n856801
by William M. Arkin and Kevin Monahan
Next Saturday, March 24, hundreds of Texas Democratic Party activists will gather at the Austin Hyatt Regency to nominate candidates for political office in Travis County, a kick-off event leading up to the 2018 midterm elections.
But some people who tried to register will not be attending, among them Candida McGruder. Gustavo Chubb. Geraldo Tinsley. Vincent Amundson. Roxie Male.
That's because these five individuals and 43 others who signed up to attend don't appear to be Travis County residents, or Texans, or even Americans. They might not even be real people. They may be pranksters — or they may be Russian trolls, and their appearance in Texas could represent the first public example of foreign probing of the 2018 elections.
Five senior intelligence officers, two current and three former, say the case of the Texas 48 looks like Russian meddling. And they tell NBC News that despite the clumsiness of the failed registrations, the Texas case fits a pattern of Russian behavior seen in its covert operations.
More: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/elections/possible-russian-trolls-try-register-texas-democratic-convention-n856801
March 15, 2018
Andy McCabe now meeting with Rod Rosenstein, making the case why shouldn't be fired from the FBI bef
Andy McCabe now meeting with Rod Rosenstein, making the case why shouldn't be fired from the FBI before his retirement, per @PamelaBrownCNN
McCabe is meeting in the Deputy Attorney General's office; unclear if McCabe is speaking with Rosenstein and/or one of his deputies.
https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/974337854313779205
McCabe is meeting in the Deputy Attorney General's office; unclear if McCabe is speaking with Rosenstein and/or one of his deputies.
https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/974337854313779205
March 15, 2018
MSNBC Video
https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/974328389082509313
https://democrats-oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/2018-03-15.EEC%20EEngel%20to%20WH%20%26%20State.pdf
Whistleblower docs show WH worked w/ outside conservatives like Newt to cleanse State Dept not loyal
NEW: Dems say whistleblower documents show White House worked with outside conservatives like Newt Gingrich to orchestrate a "cleaning" of State Department career employees deemed not loyal to Trump's agenda.
https://twitter.com/kyledcheney/status/974316185067098114
https://twitter.com/kyledcheney/status/974316185067098114
MSNBC Video
https://twitter.com/OversightDems/status/974328389082509313
https://democrats-oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/documents/2018-03-15.EEC%20EEngel%20to%20WH%20%26%20State.pdf
March 14, 2018
NEW from VF: Trump has discussed a plan to fire AG Sessions. Could replace with Scott Pruitt
NEW: sources said Trump has discussed a plan to fire AG Sessions. According to 2 GOP sources, there have been talks that Trump could replace Sessions with EPA Admin. Scott Pruitt, who would not be recused from overseeing the Russia probe.
“Trump Wants Them Out of There”: After Swinging the Axe at Tillerson, Trump Mulls What to Do with McMaster, Sessions, Jared, and Ivanka
With tariffs done, Trump’s sights are now on the Iran deal—and, possibly, the Russia investigation. “The president is finally realizing he is the president,” a former White House official told me. “He’s just making these decisions on his own.”
... snip
Perhaps most consequential for Robert Mueller’s investigation, sources said Trump has discussed a plan to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions. According to two Republicans in regular contact with the White House, there have been talks that Trump could replace Sessions with E.P.A. Administrator Scott Pruitt, who would not be recused from overseeing the Russia probe. Also, as an agency head and former state attorney general, Pruitt would presumably have a good shot at passing a Senate confirmation hearing.
Then there is the question of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s futures. Trump has told people for months that he wants them to go back to New York. “Trump wants them out of there. He thinks they’ve been getting hit too hard,” a friend of the president said. But Javanka are digging in, sources said. “They’ve damaged us so much already. What else can they say about us?” Kushner recently said, according to a person who spoke with him. “And if we go back to New York, they’ll keep attacking. So what do we have to lose?” In recent days, the couple have argued for their continued relevance by cooperating with pieces in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Sources said that if Kelly is forced out, Jared and Ivanka will fight to stay on.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
More: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/03/trump-swinging-the-axe-at-tillerson-mcmaster-sessions-jared-and-ivanka
With tariffs done, Trump’s sights are now on the Iran deal—and, possibly, the Russia investigation. “The president is finally realizing he is the president,” a former White House official told me. “He’s just making these decisions on his own.”
... snip
Perhaps most consequential for Robert Mueller’s investigation, sources said Trump has discussed a plan to fire Attorney General Jeff Sessions. According to two Republicans in regular contact with the White House, there have been talks that Trump could replace Sessions with E.P.A. Administrator Scott Pruitt, who would not be recused from overseeing the Russia probe. Also, as an agency head and former state attorney general, Pruitt would presumably have a good shot at passing a Senate confirmation hearing.
Then there is the question of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump’s futures. Trump has told people for months that he wants them to go back to New York. “Trump wants them out of there. He thinks they’ve been getting hit too hard,” a friend of the president said. But Javanka are digging in, sources said. “They’ve damaged us so much already. What else can they say about us?” Kushner recently said, according to a person who spoke with him. “And if we go back to New York, they’ll keep attacking. So what do we have to lose?” In recent days, the couple have argued for their continued relevance by cooperating with pieces in The New York Times and The Washington Post. Sources said that if Kelly is forced out, Jared and Ivanka will fight to stay on.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
More: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/03/trump-swinging-the-axe-at-tillerson-mcmaster-sessions-jared-and-ivanka
March 14, 2018
Facebook massively blocking accounts of Ukrainian critics of Russian aggression
Facebook massively blocking accounts of Ukrainian critics of Russian aggression
Deputy Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine Dmytro Zolotukhin turned to the Facebook's European office to address the problem.
Facebook has recently started massively blocking accounts of Ukrainian opinion leaders, top bloggers, journalists, and volunteers – all of them telling the truth about Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The bans come as a result of complaints by pro-Russian bots, the "Come Back Alive" Charity Foundation reports.
"Massive attack on the Ukrainian segment of Facebook! For several days, an attack has been ongoing, launched from Russia against the accounts of our volunteers, activists, journalists, bloggers, and opinion leaders. Pro-Russian bots and those siding with the occupation forces have been actively complaining against the accounts of Ukrainians in the social network, which leads to bans," the report said.
The organization suggests that the attack on Ukrainian netizens is related to the upcoming presidential elections in Russia.
Read more on UNIAN: https://www.unian.info/politics/10042148-facebook-massively-blocking-accounts-of-ukrainian-critics-of-russian-aggression.html?utm_source=social&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=site
Deputy Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine Dmytro Zolotukhin turned to the Facebook's European office to address the problem.
Facebook has recently started massively blocking accounts of Ukrainian opinion leaders, top bloggers, journalists, and volunteers – all of them telling the truth about Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The bans come as a result of complaints by pro-Russian bots, the "Come Back Alive" Charity Foundation reports.
"Massive attack on the Ukrainian segment of Facebook! For several days, an attack has been ongoing, launched from Russia against the accounts of our volunteers, activists, journalists, bloggers, and opinion leaders. Pro-Russian bots and those siding with the occupation forces have been actively complaining against the accounts of Ukrainians in the social network, which leads to bans," the report said.
The organization suggests that the attack on Ukrainian netizens is related to the upcoming presidential elections in Russia.
Read more on UNIAN: https://www.unian.info/politics/10042148-facebook-massively-blocking-accounts-of-ukrainian-critics-of-russian-aggression.html?utm_source=social&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=site
March 14, 2018
I posted this last night during the crazy election returns, but Maddow just tweeted it again.
MSNBC link
https://twitter.com/maddow/status/973985267890753536
Green Party candidate was on state Republican payroll
Green Party candidate was on state Republican payroll
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A man who registered as a Green Party candidate for Montana's U.S. Senate race was on the state Republican Party's payroll and heads a newly formed anti-tax group, according to a review of election documents.
Timothy Adams filed as a challenger Monday against Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who faces a tough re-election campaign, in a race where a Green Party candidate could siphon votes from the Democrat.
The Green Party qualified as a political party in Montana on Monday, which was also the state's deadline for candidates to file for office. Green Party officials blasted an email that morning to solicit candidates who could register by the day's end.
... snip
In his Senate filing, he lists a Three Forks post office box as his address. The reason for the disparity was not immediately clear.
More: https://apnews.com/amp/aae15528a9fe415282402c4e14090c75
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A man who registered as a Green Party candidate for Montana's U.S. Senate race was on the state Republican Party's payroll and heads a newly formed anti-tax group, according to a review of election documents.
Timothy Adams filed as a challenger Monday against Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, who faces a tough re-election campaign, in a race where a Green Party candidate could siphon votes from the Democrat.
The Green Party qualified as a political party in Montana on Monday, which was also the state's deadline for candidates to file for office. Green Party officials blasted an email that morning to solicit candidates who could register by the day's end.
... snip
In his Senate filing, he lists a Three Forks post office box as his address. The reason for the disparity was not immediately clear.
More: https://apnews.com/amp/aae15528a9fe415282402c4e14090c75
I posted this last night during the crazy election returns, but Maddow just tweeted it again.
MSNBC link
In Montana race, Green Party candidate was on GOP’s payroll
... snip
Now, I suppose it’s possible that this guy, who was paid by the Montana Republican State Central Committee as recently as 2015, underwent a dramatic reevaluation of his political beliefs, and somehow went from the far-right to the far-left quite quickly.
But it seems more likely that the GOP is engaged in some unfortunate electoral mischief.
In the hopes of preempting angry emails, let me acknowledge that the Green Party is an actual entity, with plenty of sincere activists who care about the party’s platform and vision.
That said, we’re occasionally reminded that while the Republican Party rejects everything the Green Party stands for, the GOP nevertheless sees the Green Party as incredibly useful in moving the country to the right. Indeed, we know just as a matter of arithmetic that if Green Party voters had backed the Democratic ticket in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin in 2016, Donald Trump would not be president today.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/montana-race-green-party-candidate-was-gops-payroll
... snip
Now, I suppose it’s possible that this guy, who was paid by the Montana Republican State Central Committee as recently as 2015, underwent a dramatic reevaluation of his political beliefs, and somehow went from the far-right to the far-left quite quickly.
But it seems more likely that the GOP is engaged in some unfortunate electoral mischief.
In the hopes of preempting angry emails, let me acknowledge that the Green Party is an actual entity, with plenty of sincere activists who care about the party’s platform and vision.
That said, we’re occasionally reminded that while the Republican Party rejects everything the Green Party stands for, the GOP nevertheless sees the Green Party as incredibly useful in moving the country to the right. Indeed, we know just as a matter of arithmetic that if Green Party voters had backed the Democratic ticket in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin in 2016, Donald Trump would not be president today.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/montana-race-green-party-candidate-was-gops-payroll
https://twitter.com/maddow/status/973985267890753536
March 13, 2018
On the record source confirming Roger Stone talked about Assange outreach *during* the 2016 campaig
https://twitter.com/TheBeatWithAri/status/973693221250437120
March 13, 2018
Rachel Maddow: Lordy
Lordy. "The Minority has a good faith reason to believe that the White House does in fact possess such documentation memorializing President Trump’s conversations with Director Comey."
https://twitter.com/maddow/status/973692807037808640
https://twitter.com/maddow/status/973692807037808640
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