Politics

[Scott CWO]

Alleged roadblocks inside DOJ​

The Justice Department probe into Hunter Biden was opened in November 2018, and was codenamed “Sportsman.” According to Shapley’s testimony, federal investigators knew as early as June 2021 that there were potential venue-related issues with charging Hunter Biden in Delaware. Under federal law, charges must be brought in the jurisdiction where the alleged crimes occurred.

If the potential charges couldn’t be brought in Delaware, then Weiss would need help from his fellow US attorneys. He looked to Washington, DC, where some of Hunter Biden’s tax returns were prepared, and the Central District of California, which includes the Los Angeles area where Hunter Biden lives.

But Shapley told the committee that the US attorneys in both districts wouldn’t seek an indictment.

A second whistleblower, an IRS case agent who also testified to the committee but hasn’t been publicly identified, also told lawmakers that this is what happened. He agreed that Weiss was “was told no” when he tried to get the cooperation of the US attorneys in in DC and Los Angeles, who are Biden appointees.

Hunter Biden’s eventual plea agreement was filed in Weiss’ jurisdiction, in Delaware.

Shapley contends in his interview that Attorney General Merrick Garland was not truthful when he told Congress that Weiss had full authority on the investigation.

Shapley recounted a meeting on October 7, 2022, where, according to Shapley’s notes memorializing the meeting, Weiss said, “He is not the deciding person on whether charges are filed” against Hunter Biden. This undermines what Weiss and Garland have publicly said about Weiss’ independence on the matter.

Shapley also testified to committee investigators that it was during this October 2022 meeting that he learned for the first time that Weiss had requested to be named as a special counsel, but was denied.

In testimony to Congress in March, Garland said Weiss was advised “he is not to be denied anything he needs.”

This is not justice!

 

[Red Leg]

Hunter Biden invoked dad’s name to get paid, text shows​

Shapley, the IRS supervisor-turned-whistleblower, told House lawmakers that Justice Department prosecutors denied requests to look into messages allegedly from Hunter Biden where he used his father as leverage to pressure a Chinese company into paying him.

“I am sitting here with my father and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled,” according to a document Shapley gave to Congress, which quotes from texts that are allegedly from Hunter Biden to the CEO of a Chinese fund management company.

The message continues: “Tell the director that I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand. And now means tonight.” The message goes onto say, “I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction. I am sitting here waiting for the call with my father.”

The second, unnamed IRS whistleblower also testified to lawmakers about this alleged WhatsApp message, saying prosecutors questioned whether they could be sure Hunter Biden was telling the truth that his father was actually in the room in the messages. The unnamed whistleblower testified that they did not know whether the FBI investigated the message.

What a bunch of dirty bastards.

Sadly the standard between unethical and illegal is pretty sharply drawn. This little druggie can make all the money anyone is willing to pay him for simply being the Senator or the VP's son. Unless an actual quid pro quo can be proven, then it is "merely" unethical. It doesn't even matter if Biden was in the room. In fact, unless you can prove that services rendered piece, the Big Guy can even demand 10% from his son and brother for use of his name.

Even extorting money out of a Chinese company has to show that the office holder did something to benefit that entity as a result of the payment.

I think his greatest risk is the fired Ukrainian prosecutor. But if the guy was also actually crooked (not unlikely in pre-war Ukraine) it would be hard to prove that Biden wasn't operating with the full knowledge of the administration. One would assume the Obama administration would support that interpretation.

These people are obvious grifters (as were the Clintons). Unfortunately, without the 4th estate leading the investigative reporting charge, this will remain a partisan rather than legal or ethical issue for a huge swath of the American people.

 

[WAB]

Alleged roadblocks inside DOJ​

The Justice Department probe into Hunter Biden was opened in November 2018, and was codenamed “Sportsman.” According to Shapley’s testimony, federal investigators knew as early as June 2021 that there were potential venue-related issues with charging Hunter Biden in Delaware. Under federal law, charges must be brought in the jurisdiction where the alleged crimes occurred.

If the potential charges couldn’t be brought in Delaware, then Weiss would need help from his fellow US attorneys. He looked to Washington, DC, where some of Hunter Biden’s tax returns were prepared, and the Central District of California, which includes the Los Angeles area where Hunter Biden lives.

But Shapley told the committee that the US attorneys in both districts wouldn’t seek an indictment.

A second whistleblower, an IRS case agent who also testified to the committee but hasn’t been publicly identified, also told lawmakers that this is what happened. He agreed that Weiss was “was told no” when he tried to get the cooperation of the US attorneys in in DC and Los Angeles, who are Biden appointees.

Hunter Biden’s eventual plea agreement was filed in Weiss’ jurisdiction, in Delaware.

Shapley contends in his interview that Attorney General Merrick Garland was not truthful when he told Congress that Weiss had full authority on the investigation.

Shapley recounted a meeting on October 7, 2022, where, according to Shapley’s notes memorializing the meeting, Weiss said, “He is not the deciding person on whether charges are filed” against Hunter Biden. This undermines what Weiss and Garland have publicly said about Weiss’ independence on the matter.

Shapley also testified to committee investigators that it was during this October 2022 meeting that he learned for the first time that Weiss had requested to be named as a special counsel, but was denied.

In testimony to Congress in March, Garland said Weiss was advised “he is not to be denied anything he needs.”

This is not justice!

Unethical behavior is not new in the DOJ. I knew Ted Stevens reasonably well. The investigation into Ted that led to his loss in the election and the republican loss of the senate was unbelievable. He was absolutely innocent of the charges, but the prosecutors withheld exonerating evidence illegally. This came out after the election when we had already lost the senate. It was so egregious that an internal investigation was launched and the two prosecutors were disciplined. However, they kept their jobs and Ted died in a plane crash before he was cleared.

Most folks don’t know that Ted was exonerated as there was very little mention of it in the media.

Note, all this happened under a Republican administration.

 

[Red Leg]

"Strieff" over at "RedState" - a conservative site that I can highly recommend - offers periodic updates of the war in Ukraine. This is his latest and pretty much tracks with my own observations.

The trench clearing imbedded video is not for the squeamish. It is heartening to see the Ukrainian close combat battle drill. The fire team leader is clearly in charge, and weapons' discipline is what one would expect of well trained infantry. It also provides good context why the Ukrainians are taking their time working through the Russian defensive works.

Putin's War, Week 69. As CNN Reports the Ukrainians Have Stalled the First Breakthrough Happens

This week’s big headline is the media narrative that the Ukrainian offensive is failing. New: Early stages of Ukraine's counteroffensive are having less success and Russian forces are showi...

redstate.com

 

[PARA45]

The Lying Dog Faced Pony Soldiers Posse

www.facebook.com

 

[Red Leg]

Something may be going on between Prigozhin and his Wagner group and the Russian government and ministry of defense forces. Russian units in some areas of the Federation seem to have been put on alert, and there are even reports of fighting between Wagner units and Russian regular army forces. The Russian stock market is also apparently adrift. It may turn out to be nothing, but worth watching over the next few days. I should add that Yevgeny Prigozhin is no believer in Jeffersonian democracy.

There are reports of a large Wagner column advancing on Rostov and Russian military units mobilizing in the city.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/14h9wwk

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/14h8c2a

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/14h7zaq

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/14h6xe5

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/14hacyh

 

[Red Leg]

The Wagner threat is starting to appear in the regular news assimilation sites such as "Citizen Free Press" and news outlets.

Russia on brink of CIVIL WAR as 25,000 Wagner mercenaries vow assault on Putin's army

Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin slammed the Kremlin for lying Russians about the justifications for invading Ukraine

www.gbnews.com

Russian warlord threatens Kremlin military officials for alleged attack on his troops: report

Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin posted video after the alleged attack and promised to take revenge for the "huge number" of troops killed. Russian officials denied the attack.

www.foxnews.com

https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/23/europe/russia-mod-wagner-yevgeny-prigozhin-intl/index.html

And more from twitter.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1672314259907158028

 

[Hunter4752001]

Definitely interesting times. Given the statements and actions from both sides, it's likely that there's no going back. If Prigozhin uses his forces to capture and hold the primary Russian GLOCs in Rostov Oblast then he effectively cuts Russian forces in Ukraine off from supplies. If he turns south and goes all the way to Krasnordar he controls the main flow of supplies to Crimea while at the same time giving himself a potentially secure southern flank in terms of the border with Georgia. If he turns North and heads to Moscow anything could happen. Much will depend on how much military strength Moscow has available given the scale of troops deployed to Ukraine and the losses during the conflict. I would not be surprised to see ancient T54s deployed in Russian cities to control civil disturbances.
I also find it interesting that while they have had the MOD head and a prominent General making public statements, nothing has been heard directly from Putin.

Of particular interest to the AH community, will be what happens to the thousands of Wagner asserts deployed in Africa? Will Prigozhin recall them to help his cause in Russia. Will the Kremlin cut them off and abandon them in Africa? What will happen to the regimes they were propping up?

 

[Red Leg]

Definitely interesting times. Given the statements and actions from both sides, it's likely that there's no going back. If Prigozhin uses his forces to capture and hold the primary Russian GLOCs in Rostov Oblast then he effectively cuts Russian forces in Ukraine off from supplies. If he turns south and goes all the way to Krasnordar he controls the main flow of supplies to Crimea while at the same time giving himself a potentially secure southern flank in terms of the border with Georgia. If he turns North and heads to Moscow anything could happen. Much will depend on how much military strength Moscow has available given the scale of troops deployed to Ukraine and the losses during the conflict. I would not be surprised to see ancient T54s deployed in Russian cities to control civil disturbances.
I also find it interesting that while they have had the MOD head and a prominent General making public statements, nothing has been heard directly from Putin.

Of particular interest to the AH community, will be what happens to the thousands of Wagner asserts deployed in Africa? Will Prigozhin recall them to help his cause in Russia. Will the Kremlin cut them off and abandon them in Africa? What will happen to the regimes they were propping up?

Really good analysis.

 

[Ridge Runner]

The "Big Picture" questions:

If, When, or Should Wagner's forces take control of Moscow;

Would this be an end to Russian Communism? And a new era for Russia / Russians to Pre Stalling eras.

Would a more capitalistic Russian once again become an Allied country as during WWII against a common Nazis for?

Where would Russia/ Russian stand against a potential China-US conflict? After all there is a "No Love Loss" "Relationship" between Russia and China.

Until the end of Bush Sr Presidency; There was a subtle"under the table" "Gesture"; Should China start a war with Russia the US would side with Russia. While on the proverbial"flip side", should Russia start a war with China the US would allie with China. On the "flip side" should the US go to war with either Russia or China the respective country China or Russia would allie with the US.

This is what maintained a "somewhat"; "neutral approach" to the possibility of WW3.

Today we (Russia, China, US) now have to be Leary of these lower class piss ant countries: ie. North Korea, Iran, that are wanting to become rogue nuclear arms countries posing a global threat, but also initiating although a very limited first strike, yet none the less, starting a nuclear WW3.

How will mid-eastern/Arab countries react to such rogue actions against Iran?

How will China respond or react to North Korea, should North Korea use its limited nuclear capability to attack the South Korea or the US?

The elite members of J20 are out of control and they no longer control the world as they once did.

The "Big Picture"; to many variables that lead to one conclusion: Not If but when the world fighting starts; As a nation, As a republic, As a Big 3 world leader; Who are we as American citizens going to trust to pull our nation through the chaos? Or are we going to continue to remain divided by voting for whom the majority of our party chooses; Regardless whether that person would s actually the best candidate to lead our country forward!?

 

[Ray B]

when the world fighting starts; Who are we as American citizens going to trust to pull our nation through the chaos?

I don't know who it will be, but I do know who it WON'T be, It won't be that lying professional politician who is supposed to be in the White House but spends most of his time hiding in his basement or any of his totally incompetent staff.

 

[Hunter4752001]

Photo allegedly of Wagner troops on the streets of Rostov on Don near HQ Southern Military District. They can't be facing too much resistance if half of them are walking around with cups of take away coffee.

 

[Hunter4752001]

Mind blowing events. Video of Prigozhin and Wagner troops having control of Rostov on Don Southern Military Command HQ. Prigozhin (armed) talking to Deputy Minister of Defense, Colonel General Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Army Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev (both unarmed).

https://twitter.com/x/status/1672463623078158337

Meanwhile, video of alleged Wagner convoy entering Voronezh region heading to Moscow. Claims Interior Ministry troops withdrawing from Voronezh.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1672488100608499714

 

[bowjijohn]

Putin to make a speech shortly

Much rests on how he comes across

Still in charge or a spent force in hiding ?

If the latter I think we are looking at major upheaval in Russia

The first domino to fall leading towards world conflict?

 

[observe]

NATIONAL SECURITY: An elderly man, fearing for his life in crime-ravaged South Africa, surrounds himself with 120 security personnel and flees to a foreign war zone for safety and to give lectures on peace.

 

[cash_tx]

Looks like Prigozhin is making his move.

 

[bowjijohn]

Brilliant comment from Yuriy Sak - advisor to Ukraine

I paraphrase…

“in 2022 the world thought that Russia had the second most powerful army in the world

Yesterday we knew that Russia had the second most powerful army in Ukraine

Today we discovered that Russia has the second most powerful army in Russia

We are running out of popcorn “

Brilliant !!

 

[Red Leg]

If the army and FSB remain loyal to Putin, this almost certainly will end up being a Quixotic gesture on Prigozhin's part. He simply does not have adequate combat power to fight a battle to seize Moscow. The air force seems to be loyal and is carrying out airstrikes against the Wagner column moving toward the capital. Nevertheless, they have made rapid progress. That speed probably underscores just how few reserves remain available to the Russian army as a result of their huge losses in Ukraine.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/14hrx82

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/14hs570

 

[mdwest]

It will be interesting to watch/see how Ukraine uses this to seize the initiative and gain some ground back.. loss of Wagner support in Ukraine I would think will set the Russians back by a significant margin...

 

[cash_tx]

It does seem far-fetched that Wagner Group would actually take Moscow, but on the remote chance that they did, would this be the first time a private corporation staged a successful coup in a sovereign nation?