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The Government Prepares to Argue that Transmitting Information *To* WikiLeaks Makes the Vault 7 Leak Different

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emptywheel
The government and Joshua Schulte are arguing over whether Paul Rosenzweig should be able to testify as an expert in Schulte's trial. That suggests they're preparing an argument about the specific harms foreseeable in leaking to WikiLeaks.
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A Billionaire's Opportunity Cost

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Rayne
Here's something to talk about to launch this open holiday week thread: Michael Bloomberg and the opportunity cost of running for the presidency.

Inequality Of Freedom

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Ed Walker
The richer one is, the more negative freedom, positive freedom and freedom from domination one has.
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Paul Manafort Is the Linchpin in Russia's Effort to Recorrupt Ukraine

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emptywheel
Even in Rudy Giuliani's made up dirt, Paul Manafort's corruption is documented. Yet Republicans are pretending that accusations that Manafort is corrupt are baseless smears.
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The Virgin Birth of the First Rudy Giuliani-Mike Pompeo Call

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emptywheel
There's a big question that should arise out of the documents on Rudy's ties to Mike Pompeo: Who set up his first call.
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Cowboys and Patriots Trash Talk

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bmaz
This from the extremely good Tom Curran is right: The Cowboys have won three of their past four after a three-game losing streak that included a humiliating defeat by the Jets (!!!!!?????). Dak Prescott last week ripped the Lions apart, going…
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The Proper Recipients for Lev Parnas' Allegations Are the Ethics Committee and SDNY

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emptywheel
Lev Parnas's allegations should be investigated by the House Ethics Committee and SDNY, not HPSCI.

Did Giuliani Give Parnas The Referral Of Turkey To Ballard Partners As Payment For Trump Defense Work In Ukraine?

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Jim White
We can't help wondering if Giuliani handed Parnas the Ballard Partners referral so that the $45,000 finders' fee would act as payment for the work in Ukraine that Trump's defense would require. Also note that reports state Parnas didn't get his payoff from Ballard Partners until 2018, so we are also left to wonder if, in typical Rudy fashion, the finders' fee was arranged long after the client was found.

Bill Barr Moves from Treating Understaffing at BOP as a "SNAFU" to a "Perfect Storm of Screw-Ups"

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emptywheel
The grunts responsible for creating the possibility for Jeffrey Epstein to kill himself are facing serious prison sentences. Bill Barr, who's watching videos rather than fixing systemic problems, is getting off with calling it "a perfect storm of screw-ups."
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Impeachable Acts: What GOP Spin Can't Change

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Rayne
Nothing the GOP has said about the witnesses, their testimony, the circumstances, the hearings as a whole, can change certain key facts. As John Adams said, facts are stubborn things.
Will Hurd
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Paul Manafort Knew of His Inclusion in the Black Ledger Two Months before NYT Story

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emptywheel
It's not Sergii Leshchenko's fault that a story on Paul Manafort's corruption damaged the Trump campaign in August 2016. It's Paul Manafort's fault.
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Impeachment Hearings: Day 5 - A Tough Hill Ahead?

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Rayne
The last of this week's scheduled hearings begins at 9:00 a.m. ET. ; Fiona Hill and David Holmes will appear before the House Intelligence Committee.
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Devin Nunes Billed Taxpayers $63,000 for a Jaunt to Europe Chasing Accused Fraudster Lev Parnas' Disinformation

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emptywheel
Devin Nunes billed taxpayers $63,000 last year for an all expenses paid trip to consume Lev Parnas' disinformation last year.
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Impeachment Hearings: Day 4 - Sondland Gets Another Chance

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Rayne
First of the day's hearings begin at 9:00 a.m. ET and the second at 2:30 p.m. Gordon Sondland has already thrown a wrench in the works as his written statement appears to burn Bolton, Pompeo, and Trump.
Volker
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Kurt Volker Makes the Case that Ukraine Tampered in 2016 Election -- for Trump

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emptywheel
Manafort's discussions of getting paid by Ukrainian oligarchs in the middle of the campaign is what Kurt Volker now says should be investigated.
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Elise Stefanik Makes Case that Don Jr and Eric Trump Must Resign from Trump Organization

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emptywheel
Elise Stefanik made a great argument that Don Jr and Eric Trump must step down from Trump Organization because the children of top officials cannot have leadership positions on corrupt companies.
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Impeachment Hearings: Day 3 - Witnesses to the July 25 Call [UPDATE-2]

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Rayne
Today's hearings are already under way, the first scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. ET and the second at 2:30 p.m. Three of the four witnesses heard the July 25 call between Trump and Ukraine's president Zelensky.
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The Persistence of Jared in the WikiLeaks Operation

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emptywheel
Jared Kushner lurks behind a lot of details on Stone, Manafort, and WikiLeaks.