The Post It Note 8/18/18

News from the note…

A round up of the day’s news that might be of interest to you.

This is an OPEN THREAD,  folks. Chat about any of the stories listed, share links to stories that caught your eye today, and generally have a good time discussing whatever you want.

White House Counsel Has Cooperated Extensively With Mueller’s Obstruction Inquiry

 The White House counsel, Donald F. McGahn II, has cooperated extensively in the special counsel investigation, sharing detailed accounts about the episodes at the heart of the inquiry into whether President Trump obstructed justice, including some that investigators would not have learned of otherwise, according to a dozen current and former White House officials and others briefed on the matter.

In at least three voluntary interviews with investigators that totaled 30 hours over the past nine months, Mr. McGahn described the president’s furor toward the Russia investigation and the ways in which he urged Mr. McGahn to respond to it. He provided the investigators examining whether Mr. Trump obstructed justice a clear view of the president’s most intimate moments with his lawyer.

New York Times

Trump tried to dissuade Melania from ‘Be Best’ anti-bullying campaign: report

President Trump reportedly advocated for first lady Melania Trump to avoid creating an anti-bullying initiative. 

The New York Times reported on Friday that President Trump suggested the first lady choose a different topic after his wife formed a “Be Best” campaign that, in part, encourages good online behavior. 

According to the Times, Trump told his wife that she was opening herself up to questions and backlash given his tendency to bully on Twitter by leading an effort to stop online harassment. 

But Melania Trump rebuffed the president’s warning and later said publicly that she was prepared to face any criticism her public service project might attract. 

The Hill

Exclusive: FBI probing cyber attack on congressional campaign in California – sources

 The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating a cyber attack on the congressional campaign of a Democratic candidate in California, according to three people close to the campaign.

The hackers successfully infiltrated the election campaign computer of David Min, a Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives who was later defeated in the June primary for California’s 45th Congressional district.

The incident, which has not been previously reported, follows an article in Rolling Stone earlier this week that the FBI has also been investigating a cyber attack against Hans Keirstead, a California Democrat. He was defeated in a primary in the 48th Congressional district, neighboring Min’s.

Paige Hutchinson, Min’s former campaign manager, declined to comment. An FBI spokeswoman said the bureau cannot confirm or deny an investigation.

Reuters

Vets group seeks to hold 5K race after Trump cancels military parade: ‘One K for each of Trump’s military deferments’

A nonprofit veterans organization announced on Friday that it is seeking to hold a 5K race for Veterans Day next year mocking President Trump.

VoteVets, an organization that focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families, said on Twitter that it has submitted a Letter of Intent with Washington, D.C., to hold the race around the National Mall next year.

The announcement came the same day Trump canceled his plans for a military parade in the capital, citing its soaring cost estimates.“So, unless he kicks out a veterans race, [Trump] will not get his ego parade there, on that day next year, either,” the organization added in the tweet, with the hashtag #NoTrumpParade.

In an email asking for signatures to support their request, the organization also said that it decided to make the race five kilometers long to symbolize “each of [Trump’s] deferments.”

The Hill

Alabama Supreme Court won’t move lawsuit against Roy Moore

The court denied Moore’s request to have the case heard in Etowah County instead of Montgomery. Moore issued a statement calling the decision “ridiculous.”

Leigh Corfman accused Moore of sexually molesting her decades ago when she was 14 and he was a prosecutor in his 30s. Moore has denied the allegations, but they became an issue in the 2017 race in Alabama to replace Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the U.S. Senate. Moore lost to Democrat Doug Jones.

Corfman in January filed a lawsuit against Moore and his campaign, saying they defamed her and made false statements, calling her a liar and immoral as they denied the claims in the midst of the election.
Moore sought to have the case heard in Etowah County where he and Corfman both live.

ABC News

Georgia lawmaker says he would have no problem if Trump used n-word in the past

A Georgia state lawmaker said he would not have an issue if President Donald Trump used the n-word in the past and argued that holding a president accountable for mistakes made before entering office would “set a bad precedent.”

“I will always say using the n-word is wrong, and it’s bad, and should never be accepted in our society. But just because (Trump) might have done it years ago, not as our president, doesn’t mean we need to continue to berate him because he used it,” GOP state Sen. Michael Williams, who is white, told CNN’s Victor Blackwell on “New Day Saturday.”

Williams said it is “always wrong to use that word,” but that Trump, as President, has not used that word.

He added, “To hold somebody accountable for something he did years ago as our president today, I think it sets a bad precedent.”

CNN

A Saturday Bonus Note From The “We Fought A Revolution To Get Rid Of A Mad King” File

Trump Is Not a King

In times of crisis, the leaders of the military and intelligence communities try to put aside their differences, often many and sundry, and work together for the good of the country. That’s what’s happening today with a remarkable group of retired generals, admirals and spymasters who have signed up for the resistance, telling the president of the United States, in so many words, that he is not a king.

Thirteen former leaders of the Pentagon, the C.I.A. and the F.B.I. have signed an open letter standing foursquare against President Trump, in favor of freedom of speech and, crucially, for the administration of justice. They have served presidents going back to Richard M. Nixon mostly without publicly criticizing the political conduct of a sitting commander in chief — until now.

“We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case.”

They rebuked Mr. Trump for revoking the security clearance of John Brennan, the C.I.A. director under President Obama, in retaliation for his scalding condemnations and, ominously, for his role in “the rigged witch hunt” — the investigation into Russia’s attempt to fix the 2016 election, now in the hands of Robert S. Mueller III, the special counsel. The president’s latest attempt to punish or silence everyone connected with the case, along with his fiercest critics in political life, will not be his last.

New York Times

A Bonus Bonus Note From The “The Kremlin Should Watch Out For This Indiana Dad” File

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*Principle above party * Politically Homeless * Ex GOP * Tribalism is stupid* NeverTrump ≠ Pro Hillary. Anti-GOP ≠ Pro Dem. Disagreeing with you ≠ Liberal. https://universeodon.com/@NoMorePlatosCave https://post.news/nomoreplatoscav Counter Social: @NoMorePlatosCave