Not a single member of congress is investigating the dangers of Putin hacking our next election, but they made sure to rake FBI agent and Trump text critic Peter Strzok over the coals for 20-odd hours. Two weeks ago for 11 hours behind closed doors, then in front of the cameras today.

::::::::

From Mike Malloy Website

It's another great week for Putin, so much winning! Trump successfully pissed off NATO and cemented his overseas image as the penultimate American idiot, and Republicans have rallied around the Hairflap in Chief and dug in their heels in "preemptively" defending the cretin and his cronies from upcoming collusion and obstruction findings in the Muller report.

Not a single member of congress is investigating the dangers of Putin hacking our next election, but they made sure to rake FBI agent and Trump text critic Peter Strzok over the coals for 20-odd hours. Two weeks ago for 11 hours behind closed doors, then in front of the cameras today.

Today's circus in the House Oversight Committee Hearing ostensible hearing into Hillary's email (!) was such an obvious attempt to discredit the Mueller investigation, even Fox "news" hosts criticized the Republicans for their insane attack on Strzok.

In one of the most appallingly hypocritical moments, Rep. Louis Gohmert absolutely lost his sh*t while questioning Strzok, screaming at Strzok for lying to his wife while having an affair with Lisa Page.

"I can't help but wonder when I see you looking there with a little smirk how many times did you look all innocent in your wife's eyes and lie about Ms. Page?" he screamed.

This tirade, mind you, in in defense of proud p*ssy-grabber and admitted serial adulterer Donald J. Trump. That's how bonkers it's gotten in Putin's America.

The good news here is that it is increasingly difficult to obfuscate and hide the truth from the American people. We know when 2,000 Latino babies are being routed around the country in the middle of the night, for example (and where the hell is THAT oversight hearing??) To paraphrase Rachael Maddow, these crimes are too big to conceal anymore. Too many people know the truth and too many are willing to talk.

Just as this hearing backfired. Strozk came across as measured and intelligent as the GOP interrogators foamed at the mouth over his sexy text messages. And Strozk had an opening statement of his own:

"I understand that my sworn testimony will not be enough for some people. After all, Americans are skeptical of anything they hear out of Washington. But the fact is, after months of investigations, there is simply no evidence of bias in my professional actions.

"There is, however, one extraordinarily important piece of evidence supporting my integrity, the integrity of the FBI, and our lack of bias.

"In the summer of 2016, I was one of a handful of people who knew the details of Russian election interference and its possible connections with members of the Trump campaign. This information had the potential to derail, and quite possibly, defeat Mr. Trump. But the thought of exposing that information never crossed my mind.

"That's what FBI agents do every single day, and it's why I am so proud of the Bureau. And I am particularly proud of the work that I, and many others, did on the Clinton email investigation. Our charge was to investigate it competently, honestly, and independently, and that is exactly what happened.

"I'm also proud of our work on the Russian interference investigation. This is an investigation into a direct attack by a foreign adversary -- and it is no less so simply because it was launched against our democratic process rather than against a military base. This is something that all Americans, of all political persuasions, should be alarmed by. In the summer of 2016, we had an urgent need to protect the integrity of an American Presidential election from a hostile foreign power determined to weaken and divide the United States of America. This investigation is not politically motivated, it is not a witch hunt, it is not a hoax.

"I expect that during this hearing, I'll be asked about that ongoing investigation. During my testimony before these Committees two weeks ago, I was asked a number of questions, including about the ongoing Russia investigation, that counsel for the FBI instructed me not to answer. Consistent with my obligations, I followed the instructions of agency counsel. However, these exchanges generated significant tension with the Majority Members and numerous time-consuming sidebars and discussions amongst counsel.

"Earlier this week, my attorney asked the Committees and the FBI to confer and agree on ground rules about which topics the FBI would allow me to testify about, and which I could not. As recently as last night, the FBI and Congress were still negotiating about what questions I would be allowed to answer here today. My understanding is that the FBI's Office of General Counsel has provided the Committee with a list of questions that I will be permitted to answer today; the list includes certain questions that I was asked but instructed not to answer during my previous interview by the Committees. I am happy to answer any questions for which I have authorization to answer and where the FBI has directed me not to answer, I will abide by the FBI's instructions -- but let me clear: this is not because I don't want to answer your questions; if I were permitted to answer, I would. And the answers would doubtless be disappointing to the questioners and undermine the conspiracy narrative being told about the Russia investigation.

"In addition, I will testify today as accurately as I can, and to the best of my recollection. Nevertheless, my testimony will necessarily be less accurate, less precise, and less complete than it would be had the Committees not insisted on this unreasonable and unprecedented schedule. Only 36 hours ago I received access to thousands of pages of documents that the Department of Justice turned over to the Committees last week. Unlike the Members questioning me today, I do not have the transcript from my eleven hours of testimony last week. The time available for preparation has been wholly inadequate, as has my access to documents necessary for my preparation.

"I understand we are living in a political era in which insults and insinuation often drown out honesty and integrity. But the honest truth is that Russian interference in our elections constitutes a grave attack on our democracy. Most disturbingly, it has been wildly successful -- sowing discord in our nation and shaking faith in our institutions. I have the utmost respect for Congress's oversight role, but I truly believe that today's hearing is just another victory notch in Putin's belt and another milestone in our enemies' campaign to tear America apart.

"As someone who loves this country and cherishes its ideals, it is profoundly painful to watch and even worse to play a part in."

Another victory notch in Putin's belt. Yup -- he is the clear winner here, and so many faithful Republicans have his back, practically inviting him to interfere with the November elections.

Why not? They need all the help they can get to defeat the Democrats -- can't win any other way. They might as well get it for free from Russian hackers and spies. Cambridge Analytica is no more.

What's a Neocon candidate to do? Play fair?

Authors Website: www.mikemalloy.com

Authors Bio:
Kathy never expected a career in radio as a talk show producer. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Kathy was completing her nursing degree when in 2001 - in an emergency - she was asked to fill in as the producer of Mike's program. Within a few weeks she knew she'd found more than a temporary job. Since that beginning, Kathy has steadily grown more comfortable behind the control console, editing, engineering, and assisting in topic selection for the program while also retaining a fairly sizeable chunk of her sanity. Oh, and did we mention the utter (joyful) chaos of raising a daughter who, for some odd reason, only stops talking when she's asleep. Strange, that.



A life-long "talk radio junkie," Kathy takes her job with all the seriousness required, and thoroughly enjoys producing a talk show that's intelligent, factual, informative, and most of all entertaining. She takes great pride in -- and has great fun with -- the two biggest joys in her life: Their daughter Molly, and producing one of the most dynamic talk programs in radio.