Sessions met with Russian envoy twice last year, encounters he later did not disclose

[Hayabusa Rider]

What does that have to do with the fact that Sessions lied?

You are a reasonable guy. Let's hypothesize possible non-evil events. Throughout history there have been back door dealings with countries that don't like each other. I referred to Bobby Kennedy and the USSR during the Cuban Missile Crisis and I'd agree that was an extreme example but let's suppose the Federal government wanted high level discourse with the Russians regarding one issue or another. Could be the Ukraine, NATO, whatever. These by nature are generally sensitive and not ready to be released to the public for a number of reasons. Considering the actions of Putin with those who aren't 100% behind him and a lot of turmoil in their government it should be obvious that some don't want to be plastered across the news in typical spectacular overstatement.

This. Happens. All. The. Time.

This is the standard way diplomacy gets done in the world, with feelers and informal discussions and what not. This is how shit gets done.

Given that, it's a damn position to be in and the need to be evasive can happen. That does not mean there is something wrong, but government is hard as some might say and all the things that happen in Deep Diplomacy and State are unknown and intentionally so things work.

Am I saying this happened? Not at all. What I am saying is that there is sufficient basis to investigate and these question can be asked in closed door sessions. If the investigators agree that proper sensitive state business was properly conducted then that aspect will be dismissed. Then they move on and examine other issues.

I'm as keen to know as anyone and let's hope we move along quickly.

 

[Meghan54]

Let me ask you....why was Sessions, who is not the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, the only member to meet with the Ambassador? Why didn't any other member meet with him, esp. the Chairman?

And since you're trying to equate the Cuban Missile Crisis with Sessions' meeting with the Ambassador, what crisis was Sessions trying to deal with, like Bobby Kennedy was doing?

 

[agent00f]

I'm not defending Sessions

So what exactly is this?:

This is a reason to have an investigation instead of a lynching as the Apologist as I love calling him yearns for. I'm playing devil's advocate not because I have any trust in Sessions but because of the roles in office that Sessions play.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Sessions#Committee_assignments

Those assignments cover a lot of territory and it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Sessions met with Russians in an official but private matter. In that case Franken hit him with a catch-22. Sessions is obliged to not disclose a meeting and indeed this is has been the case in the past with others regardless of party. So Sessions has to play at wordcraft here in an attempt to disclose relevant information but not that of confidential diplomatic matters

Note I am not saying this must be what happened, but may have. An investigation could deal with matters of government properly and separate out political involvement to benefit Trump.

I want this done right and we do need an investigation, not shelve or bury the issues or "he's not our kind, hang him".

Everyone's being so unfair to treasonous Trumpettes amiright.

 

[brycejones]

And the Attorney General having a clandestine meeting on an airport tarmac with the husband of someone under federal investigation (at a crucial time within that investigation) is no problemo, right?

Just keep mashing that duhvert button.

 

[JSt0rm]

HAHA you thinking about it is more than worth it, hows that chinese dick taste?

You don't even make sense. Me thinking about you tossing and turning at night thinking about me made it worth it to you?

You are a Russian. And I'm glad of it.

 

[Commodus]

On a related note, Carter Page issued a statement that's equally hilarious and scary: he can't confirm or deny that he met with the Russians, but if he did it's totally an off-the-record session.

At what point do Trump fans acknowledge that a significant number of his staffers have been unusually chatty with the Russians, and that their evasiveness is only reinforcing beliefs that something shady is afoot?

 

[JSt0rm]

On a related note, Carter Page issued a statement that's equally hilarious and scary: he can't confirm or deny that he met with the Russians, but if he did it's totally an off-the-record session.

At what point do Trump fans acknowledge that a significant number of his staffers have been unusually chatty with the Russians, and that their evasiveness is only reinforcing beliefs that something shady is afoot?

They don't care about America. They only care about conservative ideals.

 

[compuwiz1]

I'm happy to hear Sessions has recused himself. That was the right thing to do.

 

[woolfe9998]

I'm happy to hear Sessions has recused himself. That was the right thing to do.

Agreed, but it's only a step in the right direction. The trouble is that prosecutorial discretion then falls to various deputy AG's instead of Sessions. Those people are still in the chain of command that has the Whitehouse on top. While that's better than Sessions being directly involved, what we really need is a special prosecutor such that no prosecutorial discretion is vested in Trump's DoJ at all. Only then will the investigation be truly independent.

 

[Jhhnn]

You are a reasonable guy. Let's hypothesize possible non-evil events. Throughout history there have been back door dealings with countries that don't like each other. I referred to Bobby Kennedy and the USSR during the Cuban Missile Crisis and I'd agree that was an extreme example but let's suppose the Federal government wanted high level discourse with the Russians regarding one issue or another. Could be the Ukraine, NATO, whatever. These by nature are generally sensitive and not ready to be released to the public for a number of reasons. Considering the actions of Putin with those who aren't 100% behind him and a lot of turmoil in their government it should be obvious that some don't want to be plastered across the news in typical spectacular overstatement.

This. Happens. All. The. Time.

This is the standard way diplomacy gets done in the world, with feelers and informal discussions and what not. This is how shit gets done.

Given that, it's a damn position to be in and the need to be evasive can happen. That does not mean there is something wrong, but government is hard as some might say and all the things that happen in Deep Diplomacy and State are unknown and intentionally so things work.

Am I saying this happened? Not at all. What I am saying is that there is sufficient basis to investigate and these question can be asked in closed door sessions. If the investigators agree that proper sensitive state business was properly conducted then that aspect will be dismissed. Then they move on and examine other issues.

I'm as keen to know as anyone and let's hope we move along quickly.

What a load of apologistic false equivalency bullshit. Sessions had every right to speak to the Russian ambassador in September. He did not have the right to speak for the American govt because Trump had yet to win the election, let alone be inaugurated.

That's entirely different from back channel diplomacy undertaken at the orders of the President.

The real issue is that Sessions lied under oath to the Senate. He actually volunteered the lie as a diversion. Given his recorded testimony & now the admission that such conversations took place he ratted himself out.

GTFO, Jeff! You blew it, big time.

 

[Jhhnn]

Agreed, but it's only a step in the right direction. The trouble is that prosecutorial discretion then falls to various deputy AG's instead of Sessions. Those people are still in the chain of command that has the Whitehouse on top. While that's better than Sessions being directly involved, what we really need is a special prosecutor such that no prosecutorial discretion is vested in Trump's DoJ at all. Only then will the investigation be truly independent.

The first thing we need is Jeff Sessions out on his ass, Flynn style. His compromised integrity degrades that of the entire DoJ.

 

[sdifox]

Please hire Sally Yates as special prosecutor for the extra lulz

 

[Thebobo]

Damn....I learn something new about myself everyday. BTW, did your mother happen to drop you as a child?

I actually was dropped on my head when I was three, or that's the reason they give me.

 

[agent00f]

The first thing we need is Jeff Sessions out on his ass, Flynn style. His compromised integrity degrades that of the entire DoJ.

This is basically the GOP stack rank of outcomes:

1. Nothing happens. They somehow manage to prevent any investigate or whatever.
2. Sessions resigns, prevents an investigation that reveals actual treason in administration.
3. Anywhere near complete investigation of sessions and this whole trump-putin connection.

 

[Jhhnn]

This is basically the GOP stack rank of outcomes:

1. Nothing happens. They somehow manage to prevent any investigate or whatever.
2. Sessions resigns, prevents an investigation that reveals actual treason in administration.
3. Anywhere near complete investigation of sessions and this whole trump-putin connection.

Sessions can't prevent anything if he gets shitcanned. The notion that he should remain AG after blatantly lying to the Senate is absurd. Not even the most desperate post truth rationalizations can justify it.

 

[agent00f]

Sessions can't prevent anything if he gets shitcanned. The notion that he should remain AG after blatantly lying to the Senate is absurd. Not even the most desperate post truth rationalizations can justify it.

What I'm saying is that resigning/shitcanning alleviates pressure for investigation, ie rug sweep.

 

[OrByte]

I too see him resigning at some point soon.

Perjury charges are coming

 

[MongGrel]

LMAO

Keep sucking that chinese dick

WWYBYWB ?

At this rate, it will happen again soon.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

I too see him resigning at some point soon.

Perjury charges are coming

Doubtful. There's an intent to mislead requirement and I don't think this would rise to that level given the context of the questioning at the time. I wouldn't hold my breath for anything more to come from this.

 

[OrByte]

Doubtful. There's an intent to mislead requirement and I don't think this would rise to that level given the context of the questioning at the time. I wouldn't hold my breath for anything more to come from this.

He "mislead" in direct questioning from Franken

He "mislead" in written responses to congress as well.

I'd argue that this represents one too many "misleading" statements and call for an investigation.

That is what got Libby on perjury.

 

[MomentsofSanity]

He "mislead" in direct questioning from Franken

He "mislead" in written responses to congress as well.

I'd argue that this represents one too many "misleading" statements and call for an investigation.

That is what got Libby on perjury.

If you look at the written he didn't. It asked about contact about the campaign. Not just contact. At this point no one is saying he spoke about the campaign.

Franken didn't ask him about his contact. Just if he'd recuse if anyone from the campaign had contact about the campaign. He never really answered the question. Just offered the line that has gotten him deservedly in hot water.

I just personally don't think it rises to the level of perjury. Not convictable anyway.

 

[emperus]

Doubtful. There's an intent to mislead requirement and I don't think this would rise to that level given the context of the questioning at the time. I wouldn't hold my breath for anything more to come from this.

They will probably interview his staff who helped him prepare (if there is no privilege) to see whether they discussed it. I doubt a staffer would risk jail when the FBI comes a knocking.

 

[Sonikku]

Sessions can't prevent anything if he gets shitcanned. The notion that he should remain AG after blatantly lying to the Senate is absurd. Not even the most desperate post truth rationalizations can justify it.

They can try.

 

[1sikbITCH]

And the Attorney General having a clandestine meeting on an airport tarmac with the husband of someone under federal investigation (at a crucial time within that investigation) is no problemo, right?

DEFLECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Thump553]

From a legal standpoint, Sessions' reclusal was because of his involvement in the Trump campaign-it creates the appearance of impropriety and thus reclusal is necessary. This result is clearly mandated by the lawyers code of professional responsibility and something Sessions should have done on Day 1 when he became Attorney General. For that matter, it is something the Senate should have insisted on if they did their job of advise and consent properly and not in a partisan manner.

Most significantly, Sessions getting caught out in his double case of perjury really has nothing to do with whether or not he should have reclused himself, but clearly the GOP thinking is this will take the pressure off him to resign or the pressure to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether or not perjury charges should be pressed against the AG.

Cliff's version: Sessions is doing something he was ethically required to do a long time ago in an attempt to evade criminal liability on his part. And he'll almost certainly get away with it.

Refresh my recollection-didn't Trump promise the very best and finest to serve in his Cabinet? Why are we getting persons who are committing crimes in office from Day 1 then? Remember Obama went eight years without a significant scandal-Trump has had two in his first thirty days.

Until we Americans DEMAND better this is the kind of crap we will get as a government. Last I heard ethics and honesty were not partisan factors.
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