News & Comment

Despite Trump’s demands for “Obamagate” prosecutions of Obama and Biden, AG Bill Barr says he doesn’t expect criminal prosecutions…--also contradicting Trump, Fed Chair Powell warns of slow recovery on 60 Minutes
--on the same show, whistleblower Rick Bright amplified his complaints about the administration’s refusal to act about Covid January and February, Trump unloads
--Stanford whistleblower alleges that April study about antibodies that was widely criticized was influenced by funding from JetBlue founder

Pelosi’s package didn’t include key progressive plans, even though it’s clear to all that it will be sliced and diced…--in HEROES Act, the deletion of one letter, a lower case “c”, expanded aid for nonprofits to include lobbyists, dark money groups and others
--the Intercept report on progressive alliances is here
--in final Senate passage of cynically-named USA Freedom Act extension, Sen. Burr voted against it, and Sen. Sanders was crucially absent

Pro-surveillance Sen. Richard Burr’s smart phone grabbed by FBI for insider trading investigation as colleagues extend invasive domestic surveillance laws…--Mike Flynn’s judge, Emmet Sullivan, has appointed a retired judge and mob-buster to argue against plan to drop Flynn’s charges, and will consider perjury rap
--corporate media outlets shift into overdrive to defend their investment in the crumbling Russiagate conspiracy, tagging “Obamagate” a conspiracy theory
--we bring you denialist coverage from Salon, AP, The Guardian LA Times and WashPost

BOMBSHELL!

As big media generally ignore recent document releases undermining Russiagate, “alternative” media ridicule Trump and challenges to the unraveling narrative…--Rachel Maddow speculated that Trump’s short fuse at news conference was to distract from Supreme Court hearings about releasing his tax returns
--in comical “explainer”, The Guardian asks, “what is Obamagate”

House transcripts from closed-door sessions show FBI linked Crowdstrike boss admits they had no proof that Russia hacked DNC, fed Wikileaks…--Ray McGovern cites the testimony at ConsortiumNews,
and new video report by Aaron Maté puts them in context

Tara Reade adds new details in TV interview as ex-husband’s court documents refers to Biden incident and Reade’s emotional state…--smalltown newspaper, The Tribune of San Luis Obispo, digs up documents related to Reade’s request for restraining order, which he says was unwarranted
--NY Times picks up the story, and actually credits The Tribune

As newly-released FBI documents show Flynn was tipped off before he lied to agents, AG Barr tries to withdraw charges…--blogger Marcy Wheeler adds some details about Mike Flynn’s lies for background check before Trump appointed him
--Barr also quietly dropped Mueller’s charges charges against St. Petersburg troll farm that was dramatic sideshow in St. Bob’s investigation

After Cuomo’s handpicked election board announced cancellation of June presidential primary, Andrew Yang sued, and federal judge has restored it…--Veteran political observer Elizabeth Drew challenges Biden’s pledge to name a woman VP

With China, Israel and Venezuela, Trump administration policies promote confrontations that could become destabilizing and spiral out of control…
PBC note: the WordPress robots decided to post big photos and headlines of some linked stories today, not sure why.  And yes, I got hacked on Facebook, so ignore those Messenger posts with the dirty video.
--are Trump and Pompeo blaming China, and seeking money damages only for domestic political consumption?