Hunter Biden heading for a trial

[WyattEarp]

I am Canadian and have no delusions of my absolutely ZERO ability to "support" Biden or any American politician. 'Politics' discussions here are simply a substitute for guys who like to talk sports. Every <insert losing team of choice here> fan absolutely knows how to run the team better than the owners, managers, coaches etc. Could make better decisions on the field than the players etc.

That said, I wish that Biden wasn't going to run for president of our neighbouring country. Among other things I think he is indeed too old. Despite the wisdom and experience that comes with age. And I do not think he is an inspiring Leader. But fwiw, I think he is one of the least corrupt, and financially motivated major politician in US politics. It is my personal feeling that ascribing malicious or corrupt intentions to him is simply a symptom of the viscious Right vs Left / Us vs Them binary battle to burn the other party.

This is a refreshing take, but it ignores the realities of social media. Ideologues left and right think they are fighting for the soul of America and the Western World. I myself think the political battles are more mundane than the higher spiritual calling that some seem to think they are answering.

 

[toguy5252]

toguy, the House Republicans didn't really have anything directly to do with the plea deal mess. That's your problem in this quagmire. I seem to recall that you were one of the prog posse who thought the plea deal was merely a matter of crossing the T's and dotting the I's.

If you want to scream Benghazi, do you really want to have a discussion about every event in the last twenty years in defense of Hunter Biden?

It has nothing to do with the plea deal. It has everything to do with creating an issue and then a committee to try and soften up Joe. Hunter was a private citizen who has never had a role in government. He should be investigated if he broke the law but that is the job of law enforcement, not the US congress. Let's try and be honest for a moment Wyatt. I am not excusing or condoning anything but trying to rationalize that committee just makes you look silly.

 

[kherg007]

It is Benghazi again. That's just the reality. If you think the Rs really care about corruption after 4+ years of Trump?
Their own words are a good guide. McCarthy explained how Benghazi was to damage Hilary. Full stop.
5 years investigating Hunter in search of ...some connection to Joe? Begging Zelinskyy to open an investigation without any proof? Bolton and all the other diplomats testifying how it was BS?

 

[Frankfooter]

Biden isn't allowing anything. That's the point of Frank's ridiculous language.

The plea deal was the easy out for Hunter, but the Judge picked apart the lack of logic in the deal. I don't know how anyone would call that a minor issue for Hunter. I would think those less partisan would say the Special Counsel is not a good thing for Hunter. Having said that, to date it all seems like a clumsy effort to dust this Hunter thing under the rug.

You have to realize your fellow conservative TERB members aren't writing this crazy script that we are all reading/hearing in the media. It seems like your trying to shoot the messengers here, but the message is being broadcast to the entire world.

The judge picked out that Weiss and the prosecutor left it open in the plea deal that HB could be charged for the same crimes in different jurisdictions even after the plea deal.
That's why the plea deal failed.

Garland could have called out Weiss for screwing up the file but instead will put it in the open for transparency. Weiss has had 5 years giving him a couple more to figure chase imaginary witnesses, informants that tell him there is nothing and let the GOP try to argue that the tax and gun charges of an ex addict somehow means the Bidens are a 'crime family' for another couple of years.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1690060484488364033

 

[Frankfooter]

Thank you for your diversion.

Thank you for confirming you are interested only in partisan attacks, not an independent judiciary.

 

[squeezer]

It's much harder to prosecute than you realize. We have the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act that prevents American corporation and individuals from giving money to foreign dignitaries and their families essentially for nothing but perceived favors. The U.S. Govt. does not have to prove favors were granted in return for the money to make their case. It's simply illegal.

In a strange turnabout, it's entirely legal for foreign corporations and individuals to curry favor with American politicians and their families unless some type of quid pro quo can be proven.

Wyatt, quick question. How do you feel about the $2B + + + Jared made out with? Should Jared and Ivanka be investigated by special counsel?

 

[mandrill]

Biden isn't allowing anything. That's the point of Frank's ridiculous language.

The plea deal was the easy out for Hunter, but the Judge picked apart the lack of logic in the deal. I don't know how anyone would call that a minor issue for Hunter. I would think those less partisan would say the Special Counsel is not a good thing for Hunter. Having said that, to date it all seems like a clumsy effort to dust this Hunter thing under the rug.

You have to realize your fellow conservative TERB members aren't writing this crazy script that we are all reading/hearing in the media. It seems like your trying to shoot the messengers here, but the message is being broadcast to the entire world.

If you can understand and explain the judge's issue with the deal, please do. And reference a couple of articles.

My own impression is that is was technical objections to combining resolutions under different statutes.

 

[mandrill]

toguy, the House Republicans didn't really have anything directly to do with the plea deal mess. That's your problem in this quagmire. I seem to recall that you were one of the prog posse who thought the plea deal was merely a matter of crossing the T's and dotting the I's.

It was / is. But you can't "dot the t's and cross the i's" and it appears that's what the lawyers did.

If you want to scream Benghazi, do you really want to have a discussion about every event in the last twenty years in defense of Hunter Biden?

Sure. Go ahead.

Then tell us where the criminal charges are?

No police force is going to charge someone with "maybe being really high on coke on some video that may have been shot in the US, or else in Europe somewhere, maybe 10 years ago or was it 12 years ago, hey maybe that was in Mexico after all".

Or how about "milking his dad's name to get a cushy board of directors gig in Ukraine that he never even showed up for because he was getting his cock sucked somewhere"?

If you know a prosecutor that would actually prosecute that horseshit, pleas advise.

 

[mandrill]

This is a refreshing take, but it ignores the realities of social media. Ideologues left and right think they are fighting for the soul of America and the Western World. I myself think the political battles are more mundane than the higher spiritual calling that some seem to think they are answering.

Well, as "TERB's intellectual presence", you're certainly entitled to your vaguely expressed opinion, I guess.

 

[mandrill]

So after demanding special counsel for fucking months, the GOP now whines when special counsel is appointed.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1690719718574010368

https://www.meidastouch.com/news/inspector-comer-claims-garland-foiled-his-plans-to-crack-the-biden-case-wide-open

With the recent announcement from Attorney General Garland of a special counsel in the Hunter Biden case, you would think Republicans would be happy with the outcome, but happiness is the last thing they’re conveying in their cable news appearances. Lindsey Graham declared that this “gambit” isn’t going to work, despite a letter that he signed specifically requesting special counsel protections for David Weiss, which is still displayed on his website.

Nikki Haley used the word “distraction” multiple times during her interview, as if she had performed a quick rewrite of her prepared remarks for Trump’s potential fourth indictment.

Republicans have seized on the news of the Special Counsel appointment to promote themselves and their brand through performative disapproval and if anyone is going to use Hunter Biden to promote their themselves, James Comer isn’t going to be left out.

The Chair of the House Oversight Committee tried to capitalize on the announcement by continuing his congressional clue whisperer media tour by appearing on Newsmax, Fox News, Newsmax, CNN, and Fox Business. Despite suffering from an acute case of evidence deficiency, Comer asserted his investigation was the victim of the “weaponization” of government and that he and his team were SO close to cracking the Biden case wide open but Attorney General Garland foiled their plans with the special counsel appointment. Comer insisted, "And right as we get to the point to where we've traced it to Joe Biden and we're at a position where we can win in court to fight their attorneys and get their actual personal bank records. He comes out with this."

This investigative breakthrough must be news to fellow Republican House Oversight Member Nick Langworthy who was pressed repeatedly by Fox News anchor Gillian Turner after contradicting Comer when he said, “We have never claimed we have direct money going to the president.”

 

[WyattEarp]

It has nothing to do with the plea deal. It gas everything to do with creating an issue and then a committee to try and soften up Joe. Hunter was a private citizen who has never had a role in government. He should be investigated if he broke the law but that is the job of law enforcement, not the US congress. Let's try and be honest for a moment Wyatt. I am not excusing or condoning anything but trying to rationalize that committee just makes you look silly.

You are conflating Congress with the matter at hand involving Garland, Weiss and Hunter's defense. These three will be key to how Hunter is going to be punished (or not). However, they still have to work through the Courts. Any attempt to circumvent proper course will be scrutinized by Congress. Even if I buy your Hunter argument, Garland and Weiss answer to Congress.

Everything with you is a clumsy asymmetric attempt to blame Republicans for what is common political behavior of both parties.

Please, please stop posting like the immediate thought on your mind about the U.S. lives in a bubble. You know damn well the U.S. Congress investigates non-govt. people all the time. They dragged baseball players and management in to question them about steroids. I'm not even sure how remote Hunter is from the government when he is tagging along on official state visits to China to conduct business.

I can't change the history of Congress for you. I can't change Hunter's history for you.

 

[WyattEarp]

This is a refreshing take, but it ignores the realities of social media. Ideologues left and right think they are fighting for the soul of America and the Western World. I myself think the political battles are more mundane than the higher spiritual calling that some seem to think they are answering.

Well, as "TERB's intellectual presence", you're certainly entitled to your vaguely expressed opinion, I guess.

Is there a point to your post beyond trying to slip in another, repetitive insult?

My post didn't address anyone specifically. If you see yourself in my post, that would be your problem.

 

[mandrill]

You are conflating Congress with the matter at hand involving Garland, Weiss and Hunter's defense. These three will be key to how Hunter is going to be punished (or not). However, they still have to work through the Courts. Any attempt to circumvent proper course will be scrutinized by Congress. Even if I buy your Hunter argument, Garland and Weiss answer to Congress.

I don't see any attempt to circumvent proper course. You assume this is likely and has to be carefully surveilled, but this is just part of the whole "Can't trust those Bidens and those Dems" myth creation.

Everything with you is a clumsy asymmetric attempt to blame Republicans for what is common political behavior of both parties.

This is your standard deflection every time your precious GOP is criticized. You run off and find an unrelated example of something-or-other which you then claim is an equivalent done by the Dems.

Give me an example of a political witch hunt like the Hunter Biden one, but done by the Dems. I'll wait.

Please, please stop posting like the immediate thought on your mind about the U.S. lives in a bubble. You know damn well the U.S. Congress investigates non-govt. people all the time. They dragged baseball players and management in to question them about steroids. I'm not even sure how remote Hunter is from the government when he is tagging along on official state visits to China to conduct business.

I can't change the history of Congress for you. I can't change Hunter's history for you.

And the steriods horseshit was a performative, preening waste of time as well. But let's stay on Hunter and not deflect to something-something-something done 10 years ago.

 

[mandrill]

Is there a point to your post beyond trying to slip in another, repetitive insult?

My post didn't address anyone specifically. If you see yourself in my post, that would be your problem.

I just reacted to your never-ending theme about how the Hunter witch-hunt is all just fine because we all know that this is "bipartisan politics as usual". And that the Dems are somehow equally complicit in this because they did it too back in whenever.

 

[WyattEarp]

Hmm, okay. So here you go with Trump's approval rating. Guess Biden is doing better than Trump.

Donald Trump : Favorability Polls

The latest political polls and polling averages from FiveThirtyEight.

projects.fivethirtyeight.com

And here is DeSantis. Who has a lower approval rating than even Trump himself. (Despite Trump being a rapist, go figure).

Ron DeSantis : Favorability Polls

The latest political polls and polling averages from FiveThirtyEight.

projects.fivethirtyeight.com

Polls are nothing to rely on when it comes to elections and it is still early days.

Sorry bud........Joe needs to have Trump as his opponent to have a chance at winning. It's not exactly a great place to be for a politician.

If someone is forced to choose between a shit sandwich and drinking urine, I guess if 51% or more choose urine..........urine is popular.

 

[squeezer]

Sorry bud........Joe needs to have Trump as his opponent to have a chance at winning. It's not exactly a great place to be for a politician.

If someone is forced to choose between a shit sandwich and drinking urine, I guess if 51% or more choose urine..........urine is popular.

I think he would beat Meatball Ron too because Maga seems to have turned on the meatball and you must agree the Dems would circle the wagons to keep Ron out. The independents based on the Disney shitshow, abortion, LGBTQ, book bannings, firing elected officials, etc...would run away from dictator Ronnie.

 

[WyattEarp]

I don't see any attempt to circumvent proper course. You assume this is likely and has to be carefully surveilled, but this is just part of the whole "Can't trust those Bidens and those Dems" myth creation.

This is your standard deflection every time your precious GOP is criticized. You run off and find an unrelated example of something-or-other which you then claim is an equivalent done by the Dems.

Give me an example of a political witch hunt like the Hunter Biden one, but done by the Dems. I'll wait.

mandrill, as I have said to a few members here. I simply disagree. I think Garland and Weiss gave Hunter special treatment. It's like you want to put those two IRS whistleblowers in a box and bury them out back. I didn't just make up this problem and bad optics.

So if it is correct Hunter did receive special treatment I don't know why it is a problem for the House to exercise their oversight authority. I don't think we have had this entanglement where a sitting Govt. Executive's Administration was investigating a relative. It's an awkward situation that you cannot change and bluster away.

 

[mandrill]

mandrill, as I have said to a few members here. I simply disagree. I think Garland and Weiss gave Hunter special treatment. It's like you want to put those two IRS whistleblowers in a box and bury them out back. I didn't just make up this problem and bad optics.

So if it is correct Hunter did receive special treatment I don't know why it is a problem for the House to exercise their oversight authority. I don't think we have had this entanglement where a sitting Govt. Executive's Administration was investigating a relative. It's an awkward situation that you cannot change and bluster away.

So tell me why you think Hunter got special treatment?

Or refer me to one of your previous posts that explains your position.

I'll stand up and give you my position right here. Most of Hunter's notorious drug, sex and grift exploits are non prosecutable. They are committed outside the USA or the proof is too flimsy to ground a conviction or they're simply standard business practices in a corrupt country like Ukraine.

That being the case, Hunter was charged - probably as a gesture to take the political heat of Biden (as Smerconish among others suggests) - with what they could prove: - income tax evasion and a regulatory offence. A plea deal to these fairly anodyne charges was arranged and fell apart, largely due to technicalities. The plea deal will have to be re written.

Now that's about it, isn't it?..... None of this is big time stuff. But it's juicy and yummy for the GOP to keep suggesting that Joe is involved in those foreign grifts and that facts are suppressed.

So give me some proof of this. Prosecutions run on PROOF. They don't run on "It would be nice if we could prove this and maybe it happened."

I'll wait. And until you present that proof, then your just part of the GOP "Outrage coach tour".

 

[WyattEarp]

I think he would beat Meatball Ron too because Maga seems to have turned on the meatball and you must agree the Dems would circle the wagons to keep Ron out. The independents based on the Disney shitshow, abortion, LGBTQ, book bannings, firing elected officials, etc...would run away from dictator Ronnie.

Maybe but youth and vigor go a long way on the U.S. Presidential campaign trail.

There's drama behind the scenes that you might not care to see. The liberal media seemed to target DeSantis when he was considered the heir-apparent to Trump. Even a few of your usual suspects here were early adopters of this strategy sort of speak.

I think it's best to let Presidential candidates travel around the country and tell people what they want to do. I am not interested in the media's take on candidates and their interpretation of events. That goes for Gavin Newsom who I don't necessarily care for.

 

[toguy5252]

You are conflating Congress with the matter at hand involving Garland, Weiss and Hunter's defense. These three will be key to how Hunter is going to be punished (or not). However, they still have to work through the Courts. Any attempt to circumvent proper course will be scrutinized by Congress. Even if I buy your Hunter argument, Garland and Weiss answer to Congress.

Everything with you is a clumsy asymmetric attempt to blame Republicans for what is common political behavior of both parties.

Please, please stop posting like the immediate thought on your mind about the U.S. lives in a bubble. You know damn well the U.S. Congress investigates non-govt. people all the time. They dragged baseball players and management in to question them about steroids. I'm not even sure how remote Hunter is from the government when he is tagging along on official state visits to China to conduct business.

I can't change the history of Congress for you. I can't change Hunter's history for you.

Are you seriously suggesting that this is just part of the business of the congress and specifically because it 8s intended to hurt Joe and help the stable genius. Seriously?