That scat we saw in the front yard yesterday was not coyote, but deer. It turns out that coyote scat and buck scat can look similar. Last night we saw the deer in our back yard, and today we found some deer tracks in damp places. Much better than a coyote!
Stepping back a bit, does it really seem credible that Trump and his aides had the necessary level of competence to actively collude with the Russians? Since when have they had the level of competence to do anything beyond using the toilet (and we're not sure of that)?
But what if Putin's hold over Trump is simply that he can (and has made it clear to Trump that he can) make it look like Trump colluded. "Trump and his team were such bumblers that they repeatedly gave Putin opportunities to create evidence of collusion even if none actually occurred."
"Maybe Putin can simply say, 'Donald, I can provide proof that a) we swayed the election (so you’re illegitimate) and b) you and yours helped.'"
That would certainly be easy to imagine coming from a high-ranking KGB officer, and would go far to explain Trump keeping the Helsinki appointment.
It strikes me as more plausible that Putin can blackmail Trump simply with the threat of "exposure'" than that Trump and co. actually did collude. As you say, Alan, they aren't competent enough to collude with a paper clip.
Another thought: Is the latest indictment a message from Mueller to Trump that an interview is not necessary? Maybe Trump better stay in Helsinki. Or better yet, continue on to Russia with Putin.
Not familiar with them, but I can use all the ease I can get. Will investigate.
And thinking of ease, it has now been fifteen weeks since I retired; this morning I woke up and after a little while I realized that neither of my hands hurt. A little stiff, yes, but pain-free! Can't expect that to be constant for a while, but it sure is promising. It was time to quit.
Wikipedia entry on Oleg Penkovsky[Click] The Penkovsky Papers is reference (3). See also note under “Further Reading.” All very mysterious sounding. Small wonder.
Have i mentioned that about a week ago I started work on the last grant application of my medical writing career? By this time next month *I* expect to be retired!
Full text of "Penkovsky Papers" - Internet Archive https://archive.org/.../nsia-PenkovskyPapers/nsia-PenkovskyPapers/Penkovsky%20Pap...
The joint ClA-MI-6 entry is The Penkovsky Papers. by Oleg Penkovsky. Lonsdale, alias Konon Trovimovich Molody, was an agent in the service of the KGB (the ...
That IS a cure one, listener!
ReplyDeleteThat scat we saw in the front yard yesterday was not coyote, but deer. It turns out that coyote scat and buck scat can look similar. Last night we saw the deer in our back yard, and today we found some deer tracks in damp places. Much better than a coyote!
Alan
Adore that dog!
ReplyDeleteUS indicts 12 Russians for hacking DNC emails during the 2016 election[Click] A pretty good read. Excellent timing, I must say.
ReplyDeleteNeutrino that struck Antarctica traced to galaxy 3.7bn light years away[Click]
Archaeologists prepare to open huge granite sarcophagus in Egypt[Click] Evidently it has been undisturbed.
Stone tools found in China could be oldest evidence of human life outside Africa[Click] So far…
Romans had whaling industry, archaeological excavation suggests[Click]
Researchers say it is time to drop the idea that modern humans originated from a single population in a single location[Click] A nearly extinct hypothesis revivified by new evidence.
—Alan (Who will now get to work pulling weeds, in the shade as much as possible.)
Here is the grand jury’s indictment of 12 Russian intelligence officials. [Cick]
ReplyDeleteJonathan Chait: [Click] “President Trump has been all but charged with collusion in this indictment.”
--Alan
Stepping back a bit, does it really seem credible that Trump and his aides had the necessary level of competence to actively collude with the Russians? Since when have they had the level of competence to do anything beyond using the toilet (and we're not sure of that)?
DeleteBut what if Putin's hold over Trump is simply that he can (and has made it clear to Trump that he can) make it look like Trump colluded. "Trump and his team were such bumblers that they repeatedly gave Putin opportunities to create evidence of collusion even if none actually occurred."
"Maybe Putin can simply say, 'Donald, I can provide proof that a) we swayed the election (so you’re illegitimate) and b) you and yours helped.'"
That would certainly be easy to imagine coming from a high-ranking KGB officer, and would go far to explain Trump keeping the Helsinki appointment.
It strikes me as more plausible that Putin can blackmail Trump simply with the threat of "exposure'" than that Trump and co. actually did collude. As you say, Alan, they aren't competent enough to collude with a paper clip.
DeleteAnother thought: Is the latest indictment a message from Mueller to Trump that an interview is not necessary? Maybe Trump better stay in Helsinki. Or better yet, continue on to Russia with Putin.
ReplyDeleteAlan
LOL
Delete"Don't come home, Donny Boy, or you'll get a one way ticket to the slammer?" Sounds good to me.
Anyone very impressed with the kGB and their abilities should read The Penkovsky Papers. Put *my* heart to ease. . . .
ReplyDeleteNot familiar with them, but I can use all the ease I can get. Will investigate.
DeleteAnd thinking of ease, it has now been fifteen weeks since I retired; this morning I woke up and after a little while I realized that neither of my hands hurt. A little stiff, yes, but pain-free! Can't expect that to be constant for a while, but it sure is promising. It was time to quit.
Alan
Hurrah for no pain! Yes, definitely time to quit. I wonder what else heals when we stop pushing ourselves hard. Can't wait 'til Wil retires!!
DeleteWikipedia entry on Oleg Penkovsky[Click] The Penkovsky Papers is reference (3). See also note under “Further Reading.” All very mysterious sounding. Small wonder.
Delete—Alan
That's wonderful, Alan! ♥
DeleteHave i mentioned that about a week ago I started work on the last grant application of my medical writing career? By this time next month *I* expect to be retired!
DeleteTrump Baby Balloon Hits The Bullseye![Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
It's certainly a social media sensation. Sis loves it. She suggested it should travel with Trump semi-officially everywhere he goes.
DeleteWell, up until the alien abduction, anyway.
DeleteAlan
Full text of "Penkovsky Papers" - Internet Archive
ReplyDeletehttps://archive.org/.../nsia-PenkovskyPapers/nsia-PenkovskyPapers/Penkovsky%20Pap...
The joint ClA-MI-6 entry is The Penkovsky Papers. by Oleg Penkovsky. Lonsdale, alias Konon Trovimovich Molody, was an agent in the service of the KGB (the ...
A Change Is Gonna Come [Click] Sam Cooke (Official Lyric Video)
ReplyDelete--Alan