• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓
  • ←
  • →

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

An almost top 10,000 blog!

Fight them, without becoming them!

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

I swear, each month of 2025 will have its own history degree.

My right to basic bodily autonomy is not on the table. that’s the new deal.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

Museums are not America’s attic for its racist shit.

In after Baud. Damn.

Cancel the cowardly Times and Post and set up an equivalent monthly donation to ProPublica.

The real work of an opposition party is to oppose.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

Seems like a complicated subject, have you tried yelling at it?

People identifying as christian while ignoring christ and his teachings is a strange thing indeed.

It is possible to do the right thing without the promise of a cookie.

It is not hopeless, and we are not helpless.

We’re watching the self-immolation of the leading world power on a level unprecedented in human history.

If you don’t believe freedom is for everybody, then the thing you love isn’t freedom, it is privilege.

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

No one could have predicted…

Republicans do not trust women.

They punch you in the face and then start crying because their fist hurts.

Innocent people do not delay justice.

Mobile Menu

  • Seattle Meet-up Post
  • 2025 Activism
  • Targeted Political Fundraising
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • COVID-19
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • 2025 Activism
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • Targeted Fundraising!
You are here: Home / Politics / Trumpery / Dolt 45 / Reciprocity?

Reciprocity?

by Cheryl Rofer|  May 31, 20178:14 pm| 98 Comments

This post is in: Dolt 45, Russiagate, All we want is life beyond the thunderdome, Nobody could have predicted

FacebookTweetEmail

Tonight’s Trump-Russia news dump comes from the Washington Post, presaged earlier in the day by an article in Sputnik tweeted out by the Russian Embassy in the United States.

Last December, in response to Russian hacking of the election and harassment of American diplomats in Moscow, President Barack Obama ordered 35 Russian diplomats out of the country and demanded that Russia vacate properties in Long Island and on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, supposedly for rest and recreation of the Russian diplomatic corps in the United States but suspected of also functioning to gather intelligence.

That was on December 29. The next day Michael Flynn, President-elect Trump’s presumptive National Security Advisor, spent a lot of time on the phone with Sergey Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the United States. After those phonecalls, Russian President Vladimir Putin magnanimously decided against reciprocating, an unexpected move. Usually expulsion of diplomats is followed by an equal and opposite expulsion of the first country’s diplomats. But it was the Christmas season.

Earlier today, the Russian government Sputnik reminded the United States government of this principle of reciprocity. The Russian Embassy in the United States emphasized it with a tweet.

Nobody has canceled principle of reciprocity in #diplomacy. We gave US?? chance to adjust expulsion & expropriation https://t.co/iQZQBFC6bg pic.twitter.com/SV3ZkulW01

— Russia in USA ?? (@RusEmbUSA) May 31, 2017

And a few hours later, Karen DeYoung and Adam Entous tell us that the United States government is indeed thinking of allowing the Russians to reoccupy the properties. Earlier, the United States had linked reoccupation to allowing the United States to build a consulate on a particular piece of land in St. Petersburg that the Russians had been blocking. But then that link was dropped.

Supposedly nothing is decided yet. It looks like Trump is willing to end part of the sanctions against the Russians for their election hacking just because he’s a nice guy. Or because the Russians were nice guys and didn’t reciprocate the expulsion.

 

Cross-posted to Nuclear Diner.

FacebookTweetEmail
Previous Post: « Let’s go Pens
Next Post: Late Night Open Thread — Christ: What An A**hole »

Reader Interactions

98Comments

  1. 1.

    Major Major Major Major

    May 31, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    It’s nice guys all the way down.

  2. 2.

    Gin & Tonic

    May 31, 2017 at 8:18 pm

    Or because he’s bought and paid for.

  3. 3.

    Morzer

    May 31, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    Covfefe codependency.

  4. 4.

    divF

    May 31, 2017 at 8:21 pm

    Reciprocity … is the key to every relationship.
    –L.A. Confidential

  5. 5.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 8:21 pm

    Supposedly nothing is decided yet. It looks like Trump is willing to end part of the sanctions against the Russians for their election hacking just because he’s a nice guy. Or because the Russians were nice guys and didn’t reciprocate the expulsion.

    It’s stuff like this and much more that makes me believe that Kathy Griffin did nothing wrong with what she did. It’s what millions want to see happen to that man. Trump’s probably gotten people killed with his incompetence/malice anyway in Syria.

    Anybody who criticizes her for her stunt is just a pearl clutcher
    Edit: he deserves to go out like Mussolini. After a fair trial of course

  6. 6.

    Hunter Gathers

    May 31, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    I always wondered what would happen if we were ruled by the 27%ers, but I didn’t figure that it would be as lame and predictable as this.

  7. 7.

    Morzer

    May 31, 2017 at 8:24 pm

    I must admit, I thought it was unlikely that Trump had any capacity for self-mockery, but this….

    At Wednesday afternoon’s press conference, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said that “The president and a small group of people know exactly what he meant” by covfefe. This reads like a joke, but if you listen to the audio—the press conference was audio-only—Spicer sounds extremely, deadly serious and angry…

    http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2017/05/31/spicer_says_covfefe_has_a_real_meaning_may_or_may_not_be_kidding_nothing.html

  8. 8.

    dr. bloor

    May 31, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    It looks like Trump is willing to end part of the sanctions against the Russians for their election hacking just because he’s a nice guy. Or because the Russians were nice guys and didn’t reciprocate the expulsion.

    Everybody knows Trump is a broke, corrupt pervert, and the Electoral College installed him anyways. What in the possible fuck do they have on him that would make him sweat?

  9. 9.

    lamh36

    May 31, 2017 at 8:26 pm

    @jimsciutto 20m20 minutes ago
    More
    First on CNN: Sources: Congress investigating another possible Sessions-Kislyak meeting

  10. 10.

    Mnemosyne

    May 31, 2017 at 8:26 pm

    @Hunter Gathers:

    I have to admit, I didn’t expect the 27 percenters to sell us out to the Russians. That was an unexpected plot twist.

  11. 11.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 8:27 pm

    @dr. bloor: Putin flattered him. That’s probably literally it

  12. 12.

    lamh36

    May 31, 2017 at 8:28 pm

    @Evan_Rosenfeld
    Follow
    More
    BREAKING: @johncrudele reports DOJ granted warrants to conduct surveillance on certain journalists to find leakers

  13. 13.

    lollipopguild

    May 31, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    @Mnemosyne: They like the Russians better than their fellow Americans. This is treason but not when Republicans do it.

  14. 14.

    dr. bloor

    May 31, 2017 at 8:30 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: You’re probably right.

  15. 15.

    Morzer

    May 31, 2017 at 8:31 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    They don’t care if they pull the roof down on themselves, so long as they get to kill us first. That’s why the Democrats shouldn’t waste time trying to win over Trump’s base.

  16. 16.

    Keith P.

    May 31, 2017 at 8:31 pm

    “Jared, your contact’s codename is ‘Covfefe’. Tell no one.”

  17. 17.

    tobie

    May 31, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    @lamh36: Calling all lawyers here…what protections do journalists have. This is unbefuckalievable.

  18. 18.

    Hunter Gathers

    May 31, 2017 at 8:32 pm

    @Mnemosyne: I was betting on the price being magic beans from a Nigerian Prince. They are way more sophisticated then I thought.

  19. 19.

    lollipopguild

    May 31, 2017 at 8:33 pm

    @Keith P.: No it’s “Swordfish”.

  20. 20.

    Baud

    May 31, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    Whoa. Rex Tillerson wants to stay in the Paris deal, according to Hayes.

  21. 21.

    Mnemosyne

    May 31, 2017 at 8:35 pm

    @lollipopguild:
    @Morzer:

    Just to be clear, I’m not surprised that the Republicans sold our country out to a foreign power. It’s just that, having come of age in Reagan’s America, I was surprised that it was specifically Russia.

  22. 22.

    schrodingers_cat

    May 31, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?: Pretty sure money was involved.

  23. 23.

    hovercraft

    May 31, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    I thought Hillary was the one with NFLTG?
    What the fuck is wrong with these people, it’s like they have no idea how this looks to real people. Yes I know that he has absolute faith in his base loving the fact that he’ll be sticking it to Obama by undoing his action, but to the rest of the world this looks like a thank you for help bro.
    I feel that one of the biggest things we have going for us is that Twitler is so thin skinned and petty that he’ll keep shooting himself in the foot, and forcing the GOP to defend more and more indefensible things.

  24. 24.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    @lamh36:

    “The Department of Justice appointed special counsel to assume responsibility for this matter,” Department of Justice spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement to CNN. “We will allow him to do his job. It is unfortunate that anonymous sources whose credibility will never face public scrutiny are continuously trying to hinder that process by peddling false stories to the mainstream media.

    Phrasing was like that used by RWNJ on Facebook. Since when do DOJ spokespeople talk like internet comment sections?

  25. 25.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 8:36 pm

    @schrodingers_cat: Also very probable

  26. 26.

    lollipopguild

    May 31, 2017 at 8:39 pm

    @Mnemosyne: Putin runs a mostly white, christian capitalist dictatorship with elections. It is the model of how Repthugs want to run America. Only white conservatives would be allowed to vote or have a say in how the country is run, everyone else would be silenced, in some cases killed. Freedumb!

  27. 27.

    Mnemosyne

    May 31, 2017 at 8:40 pm

    @Baud:

    I guess that Exxon shareholder rebellion today got his attention.

  28. 28.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 8:40 pm

    Guardian reporting that White House to refuse to answer any more reporter questions about Russia.

    Spicer saying all future questions go to Trump’s lawyers.

    Interesting.

  29. 29.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 8:42 pm

    @lollipopguild: Also too a cross between that and Apartheid South Africa. Kinda how I envision my dystopian US being like in my story I’m wrtiting

  30. 30.

    Iowa Old Lady

    May 31, 2017 at 8:42 pm

    @TenguPhule: Trump’s lawyers and his twitter account, of course.

  31. 31.

    The Dangerman

    May 31, 2017 at 8:43 pm

    @lamh36:

    Congress investigating another possible Sessions-Kislyak meeting

    In the immortal words of Bart Simpson, “Ay, covfefe”

  32. 32.

    Gvg

    May 31, 2017 at 8:44 pm

    I always thought a Manchurian candidate was supposed to conceal his allegence to some other foreign country. Trump seems to have no idea that he should try to avoid appearing to favor Russia at this point. He is really some weird shit. He really really is not loyal to America and is not hiding it

  33. 33.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 8:44 pm

    @TenguPhule: They can’t wish this away. We the People demand answers. They’re accountable to you, me, and every American, regardless of gender, race, sex, national origin, or political affiliation. Preaching to the choir, but should still be reaffirmed

  34. 34.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 8:46 pm

    @Gvg: Donald Trump is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life.

  35. 35.

    Mnemosyne

    May 31, 2017 at 8:48 pm

    OT, but a little something for the fiber arts Juicers: a 32-foot wide crocheted mural of Harriet Tubman was installed in the town in NY state where Tubman lived for 50 years.

  36. 36.

    hovercraft

    May 31, 2017 at 8:48 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:
    During the election the three most dishonest schils for Twitler who appeared regularly on msnbc were Hugh Hewitt, Sarah Isgur Flores, and Boris Epstein. That’s why she’s at DOJ she’s a first class liar.
    Oh and she was Carly Fiorina’s spokesperson and she managed that with a straight face, so this is right in her wheel house.

  37. 37.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 8:49 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    Just to be clear, I’m not surprised that the Republicans sold our country out to a foreign power. It’s just that, having come of age in Reagan’s America, I was surprised that it was specifically Russia.

    I’m surprised they could be bought so cheaply.

  38. 38.

    p.a.

    May 31, 2017 at 8:50 pm

    @Mnemosyne: Well, South Africa is no longer apartheid, and may not have had enough cash to begin with, so the list is relatively short. Certainly can’t sell us out to euro-socio-weenies, banana republics don’t have enough scratch. Once Russia became a fascist kleptocracy (as opposed to communist kleptocracy) it rocketed to the top of the list.

  39. 39.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 8:50 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    Donald Trump is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life.

    Queen of Diamonds! Quick, get out the queen of diamonds!

  40. 40.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    They can’t wish this away. We the People demand answers.

    But they can actually shut up and refuse to answer.

    Otherwise I’d have Karl Rove’s skull as a drinking cup.

  41. 41.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    May 31, 2017 at 8:53 pm

    I am really hoping for a genuinely damaging leak soon. This news about reciprocation, Trump’s insulting bit about Germany and how the Russian connection is fake news…he’s clearly asking to be slapped down.

  42. 42.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 8:54 pm

    @lollipopguild: No no no. Swordfish is the password. The contact is “NotaSpy”

  43. 43.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    I have to admit, I didn’t expect the 27 percenters to sell us out to the Russians. That was an unexpected plot twist.

    Which is why the story would never sell. No editor worth their salt would accept such an insane plot twist.

    Remember, reality doesn’t have to make sense.

  44. 44.

    p.a.

    May 31, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    Stonewalling, that’s the ticket. If we had a functioning media, it would be laughable. We’ll see. Ball is now clearly in MSM’s court. hoo boy…

  45. 45.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    @tobie:

    Calling all lawyers here…what protections do journalists have.

    IANAL.

    But the short realistic answer is none.

  46. 46.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 8:58 pm

    @dr. bloor:

    What in the possible fuck do they have on him that would make him sweat?

    Off the top of my head?

    Peepee tape.

    Snuff video with Trump getting his hands dirty.

    Hundreds of millions of loans with all his property as collateral that he can’t make the payments on.

    Video of Trump actually saying he’s willing to serve Russia before witnesses.

  47. 47.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 8:59 pm

    @hovercraft: Didn’t know that. Makes complete sense now

  48. 48.

    hovercraft

    May 31, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    @TenguPhule:
    Think about it this way:
    “Today the Washington Post reported that Jared Kushner’s with Kisliyak was transcribed by the Russians and a transcript was leaked. During the meeting Kushner told Kisliyak that in exchange for a two billion dollar loan to re-finance 666 Fifth Ave. we would lift all sanctions imposed on Russia by the Obama administration. The White House refused to comment, referring all questions to the Presidents outside attorney who said that he had no comment at this time. ” The anchor then turns to the panel and they all discuss the report with no rebuttal from the WH, Twitler watches, gets pissed off and starts Tweeting. He can’t help himself. As long as the media isn’t being “fair” to him he will respond, and since Spicey says the “Tweet speaks for itself”, Twitlers rants become the rebuttal.

  49. 49.

    hovercraft

    May 31, 2017 at 9:05 pm

    @TenguPhule:
    Safe words?

  50. 50.

    Another Scott

    May 31, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    @Gvg: Donnie knows what’s important.

    Donald J. Trump‏ Verified account @realDonaldTrump 19m 19 minutes ago

    Crooked Hillary Clinton now blames everybody but herself, refuses to say she was a terrible candidate. Hits Facebook & even Dems & DNC.

    It must be nice to have nothing to do but sit around, watch TV, play with Twitter, and attack someone who doesn’t even hold elective office.

    It’s a good thing that there isn’t any issue with the debt ceiling coming up, him having resolved that problem with his party so bigly.

    Who was it that said, “A man you can bait with a tweet is not a man we can trust with nuclear weapons.”? We really dodged a bullet there, didn’t we??!!!11

    (groucho-roll-eyes.gif)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  51. 51.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    @hovercraft:

    Twitlers rants become the rebuttal.

    So we’re doomed to 24 cable news cycles of “Fakenews Fakenews!” each time Russia is mentioned until they pry Twitter from Trump’s cold dead fingers?

  52. 52.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    @hovercraft: Shame on you. You didn’t watch the movie, did you?

  53. 53.

    Kropadope

    May 31, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    Reciprocity?

    When you’re good to Mother Russia…

  54. 54.

    lamh36

    May 31, 2017 at 9:09 pm

    @Mediaite
    Ed Schultz Blasts ‘Absolute Hogwash’ CNN For Comey Reporting, ‘Witch Hunt’ Against Kushner (VIDEO) http://bit.ly/2rGv7XA

    Go sit on a rack Ed…

  55. 55.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 9:11 pm

    And something not so gloomy from me.

    Guardian also reporting that Conservative lead over Labor still falling.

    Down another 3 points.

    Corbyn might actually get in as PM if he can swing a Coalition government.

    Or the Tories may find themselves with a hung Parliament.

    As they say in GB, “Nice own goal May!”

  56. 56.

    West of the Rockies (been a while)

    May 31, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    @lamh36:

    Does he work now for RT?

  57. 57.

    lamh36

    May 31, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    The election of Donald Trump has EMBOLDENED white supremacist not only in the US but worldwide to let their racist flag fly…

    @SInow
    LeBron James responds to the vandalism incident at his home

    @bomani_jones 9h9 hours ago
    More
    not even lebron can rich himself out of someone scrawling a racial slur on his house. remember that, all you “it’s really class” clowns.

  58. 58.

    Captain C

    May 31, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    @lollipopguild: I suspect this is at least in part because the Russians are Manly Men who keep their women in their place. Also, since they’ve kicked out the Commies, the Russians are True Christians and Defenders of the Faith.

  59. 59.

    gene108

    May 31, 2017 at 9:20 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    I’m surprised they could be bought so cheaply.

    Cheap? We are looking at the largest tax cut in history, including elimination of the dreaded estate tax.

    Repeal of Obamacare which actually transferred wealth from the rich to poor.

    Gutting environmental laws.

    Gutting legal abortion.

    Repeal of the Johnson Amendment, so churches can get into politics.

    I mean Republicans are looking at getting their radical right wing agenda agenda, if they could quit stepping on their own dicks.

    Selling out to the Russians for beans is a small sacrifice to usher in the conservative utopia.

  60. 60.

    joel hanes

    May 31, 2017 at 9:22 pm

    @dr. bloor:

    What in the possible fuck do they have on him that would make him sweat?

    Proof of money-laundering and tax fraud.

  61. 61.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 9:22 pm

    @gene108:

    Cheap? We are looking at the largest tax cut in history, including elimination of the dreaded estate tax.

    Yes, but the traitors in Congress sold out for pennies on the dollar.

    Even their base of true believers are getting shit sandwiches.

  62. 62.

    JPL

    May 31, 2017 at 9:23 pm

    @lamh36: During these trying times, we have to remember that common decency wins. Now I’ll share a story I told earlier. While trying to calm down a son, I repeated those words, and then I said if Ossoff doesn’t call his candidate a …..liar, he’ll lose. So there you go.
    That son already voted in DeKalb for Ossoff, and another son, his wife and I are going to meet Saturday and vote. The district is republican though,but we will do our part.

  63. 63.

    debbie

    May 31, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    @Another Scott:

    How presidential.

  64. 64.

    Captain C

    May 31, 2017 at 9:25 pm

    @dr. bloor: “Yes, Donald, we are friends. No one believes in you like we do. No one can see your genius. That is why we are the only ones bold enough to invest with you, to invest billions. (ETA:) We are friends, yes, and friends do things for each other.”

    Plus, I suspect there are tapes of Donald that a) could actually get him arrested, and/or b) could get you or me arrested if we owned a private copy.

  65. 65.

    sm*t cl*de

    May 31, 2017 at 9:28 pm

    Putin magnanimously decided against reciprocating, an unexpected move. Usually expulsion of diplomats is followed by an equal and opposite expulsion of the first country’s diplomats.

    Not so much a ‘principle’ of reciprocity as a tradition. Failure to respond with a reciprocal expulsion might be seen as an admission that the first expulsion was justified, and that the ‘expelled’ nation was at fault.
    So magnaminity is not at issue. Putin admitted interference.

  66. 66.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    @TenguPhule: Had to look that up. Never actually watched the movie

  67. 67.

    JPL

    May 31, 2017 at 9:29 pm

    @Captain C: Could he be arrested if the tapes were made in Russia? The tapes would probably be thrown out in court.

  68. 68.

    Captain C

    May 31, 2017 at 9:30 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    Just to be clear, I’m not surprised that the Republicans sold our country out to a foreign power. It’s just that, having come of age in Reagan’s America, I was surprised that it was specifically Russia.

    QFT. Although, there’s always been a weird Conservative crush on Russia (as opposed to the USSR). Look, for example, at Tom Clancy’s novels; in the early ones, the USSR is an adversary, but the Russians are almost always depicted as honorable and brave (except when necessary to further the plot). Asians and Latinx enemies, however, are generally portrayed as sneaky and dishonorable.

  69. 69.

    Mnemosyne

    May 31, 2017 at 9:31 pm

    @lamh36:

    Hey, Ed’s gotta justify getting those checks from Russia Today. What was the good of the Russians hiring him if he wasn’t going to broadcast their propaganda as agreed?

  70. 70.

    Captain C

    May 31, 2017 at 9:31 pm

    @JPL: IANAL, but I think sex tourism laws might apply in some cases. Regardless, such tapes might make him poison with at least a significant plurality of Republicans.

  71. 71.

    Это курам на смех

    May 31, 2017 at 9:32 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    Putin flattered him. That’s probably literally it

    But he didn’t, except in Trump’s mind. Putin was commenting on how good Trump was at drawing attention to himself and said he was “colorful” (or the Russian variant thereof) which some translator converted to “bright,” which to suit his immense vanity Trump then interpreted as “genius.” Donny hears what he wants to hear.

  72. 72.

    Captain C

    May 31, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    @TenguPhule: Yeah, that won’t look fishy. Won’t look fishy at all.

  73. 73.

    Waratah

    May 31, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    What happens when the leaks go to someone not covered by warrants. Will they
    Just keep warranting more reporters, what about foreign reporters?

  74. 74.

    Captain C

    May 31, 2017 at 9:35 pm

    @Gvg: I think he’s loyal to Donald Trump, people who hold his debts whom he can’t make go away, and Ivanka, in that order.

  75. 75.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 9:36 pm

    @Waratah: Easy peasy. Drone strikes and more Hellfire missiles for pesky foreign journalists silly

  76. 76.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    Never actually watched the movie

    Correct this please. Watch the first one.

  77. 77.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?

    May 31, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    @Это курам на смех: Was referring to some other time he talked to him. Probably on secure WH line

  78. 78.

    lamh36

    May 31, 2017 at 9:39 pm

    @Another Scott: Hilary wins the internets for today!
    @HillaryClinton
    People in covfefe houses shouldn’t throw covfefe.

  79. 79.

    Jeffro

    May 31, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    @lamh36: “Economic anxiety”, it’s a helluva drug. Or genetic defect.

  80. 80.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 9:40 pm

    @Captain C:

    Yeah, that won’t look fishy. Won’t look fishy at all.

    Flounder belly, order up!

  81. 81.

    TenguPhule

    May 31, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    @Waratah:

    What happens when the leaks go to someone not covered by warrants. Will they
    Just keep warranting more reporters, what about foreign reporters?

    Depends. ICE for domestic, drone strikes for other countries.

  82. 82.

    Jeffro

    May 31, 2017 at 9:42 pm

    @Another Scott: If he’s not tweeting, he’s golfing; if he’s not golfing, he’s tweeting; if he’s not doing either…THAT’s when I get worried.

    So tweet and slice your day away, Trumpov, and while you do, just know that the walls are closing in…quickly…

  83. 83.

    Jeffro

    May 31, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    On a non-serious note: CNN wasted space and bytes posting a piece about getting people to try and pronounce “covfefe” or whatever the hell it is…technically, that would be a small bit of ‘circuses’ as in, “bread and circuses”

    On a serious note: I think progressive activists and Dem members of Congress need to ramp up on the Distraction Brigade, i.e., Graham giving Comey shit about his previous testimony, anyone having anything to do with “unmasking” or leak investigations, etc. These Republicans are just trying to slow the investigations, cloud the issues, and mitigate the eventual fallout from this Scandal to End All Scandals. Let’s pound the living fuck out of them to focus on the real issue here, unless they want to go down the tubes with Trumpov and his gang of treasonous grifters.

  84. 84.

    frosty

    May 31, 2017 at 9:48 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    Hundreds of millions of loans with all his property as collateral that he can’t make the payments on.

    This one. The others only affect his reputation.

  85. 85.

    Morzer

    May 31, 2017 at 9:50 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Junior G-Man) ? ?:

    Since when do DOJ spokespeople talk like internet comment sections?

    Since they emerged from those internet comment sections and received employment in roles to which they were utterly unsuited.

  86. 86.

    SgrAstar

    May 31, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    @lamh36: who the heck is John Crudele? This sounds like BS- possibly intended to scare the press. Hang tough, guys and gals of the WaPo.

  87. 87.

    Peale

    May 31, 2017 at 9:57 pm

    @lamh36: the last I heard from Ed Schultz was 2010 when he used his show to tell viewers to sit out te election. I didn’t know he landed on RT.

  88. 88.

    Morzer

    May 31, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    John Schindler‏Verified account @20committee 2h2 hours ago

    MD compound was RIS SIGINT site aimed at NSA & DoD facilities on the Chesapeake. IC wanted to close it for decades.

    Chad Pergram‏Verified account @ChadPergram 4h4 hours ago

    Intel Cmte aide says subpoenas on “unmasking” would have come from Nunes “acting separately” from Russia probe w/o consent of minority

  89. 89.

    momus

    May 31, 2017 at 10:47 pm

    Looks like Obama set a trap. Interesting.

  90. 90.

    Cheryl Rofer

    May 31, 2017 at 10:53 pm

    @sm*t cl*de: “Magnanimously” was sarcastic. At best, Putin’s action would have been calculated.

  91. 91.

    Another Scott

    May 31, 2017 at 10:54 pm

    @lamh36: :-) Good one.

    I just noticed that Obama still has ~ 3x as many Twitter followers as Donnie (89.3M vs 31.1M). Must drive Donnie (even more) nuts. ;-)

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  92. 92.

    Ruckus

    May 31, 2017 at 11:10 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    I’m surprised they could be bought so cheaply.

    You’ve got to be kidding.
    They’ve sold everything for chump change. For good reason. They know what they are worth.

  93. 93.

    Cheryl Rofer

    May 31, 2017 at 11:28 pm

    Huh. The Russians were bitching about it on May 22.

    Russia is seeking to return its diplomatic property in #US?? asap.
    Otherwise, we will have to take counter measures https://t.co/2MJ4PauEYt pic.twitter.com/kjC1iSQRrc

    — Russia in USA ?? (@RusEmbUSA) May 23, 2017

  94. 94.

    1stgengirl

    June 1, 2017 at 3:32 am

    @gene108: The Waltons, the Koch Bros, Adelstein are all getting up in years. Of course, the estate tax has to seem a heavy burden to them. A couple $mil less in the pockets of their heirs would leave those poor young’uns nearly destitute.

  95. 95.

    1stgengirl

    June 1, 2017 at 3:32 am

    @gene108: The Waltons, the Koch Bros, Adelstein are all getting up in years. Of course, the estate tax has to seem a heavy burden to them. A couple $mil less in the pockets of their heirs would leave those poor young’uns nearly destitute.

  96. 96.

    Mac

    June 1, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    @divF: In the interest of Reciprocity can we make Trump president of Russia?

  97. 97.

    Comrade Misfit

    June 1, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    Putin’s poodle is proving to have been worth the investment.

Comments are closed.

Trackbacks

  1. Reciprocity? | says:
    May 31, 2017 at 8:38 pm

    […] Cross-posted to Balloon Juice. […]

Primary Sidebar

On The Road - PaulB - Olympic Peninsula: Salt Creek Recreation Area & Kalaloch Beach
Image by PaulB (5/10/25)

Recent Comments

  • YY_Sima Qian on War for Ukraine Day 1,176: Happy Vyshyvanka Day! (May 16, 2025 @ 12:01am)
  • Sally on We Are Just Incubators (May 15, 2025 @ 11:48pm)
  • Kayla Rudbek on Lest We Forget: Kilmar Abrego Garcia (May 15, 2025 @ 11:47pm)
  • Jackie on Lest We Forget: Kilmar Abrego Garcia (May 15, 2025 @ 11:39pm)
  • AlaskaReader on War for Ukraine Day 1,176: Happy Vyshyvanka Day! (May 15, 2025 @ 11:35pm)

PA Supreme Court At Risk

Donate

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
War in Ukraine
Donate to Razom for Ukraine

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

Meetups

Upcoming Ohio Meetup May 17
5/11 Post about the May 17 Ohio Meetup

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)
Fix Nyms with Apostrophes

Hands Off! – Denver, San Diego & Austin

Social Media

Balloon Juice
WaterGirl
TaMara
John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
David Anderson
Major Major Major Major
DougJ NYT Pitchbot
mistermix

Keeping Track

Legal Challenges (Lawfare)
Republicans Fleeing Town Halls (TPM)
21 Letters (to Borrow or Steal)
Search Donations from a Brand

PA Supreme Court At Risk

Donate

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!