13 Comments

Re Fortenberry: I suspect the reference to the investigation happening in LA means that it was done by the FBI’s LA office, something the Times failed to note referring only to investigators; my conclusion and theory of the case may be wrong. Alternatively: why would the US attorney be investigating a Nebraska rep regarding something that happened in DC? Fun fact: the local offices have too much independence yet are also too often ignored. That was happened with Clinton: NYC pressured Comey. And there’s 9/11 where an agent in the Midwest had reason to believe something funny was happening; the agent was correct but somehow the message failed to get where it needed to go.

All that said, I can completely wrong here, in whole or in part which, of course, wouldn’t be the first time for that.

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Instant update: as is not atypical, I was wrong:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/ex-nebraska-congressmans-conviction-lying-authorities-is-overturned-2023-12-26/

Still, the whole thing is weird, maybe getting weirder. Or at least requiring more time to research than I have any interest in expending.

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Justice is unconditional. It doesn't give a shit about what we want or how soon we want it.

We want things to be simple, but things will never again be as simple as they are right now.

The best we can do is elect legislators who can craft laws that deal with greater and greater complexity, elect or appoint judges to interpret and give feedback, and elect or hire officials to enforce those laws and still respect citizen's fundamental rights, and have all of these point in the direction of justice.

This means not voting for jackasses who are only concerned with gaining and maintaining political power, and have no clue how to govern in a functional democracy.

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Thank you TPM/MM. Many of us appreciate all your coverage, including on the

Dictator wannabe and will continue to support FREE press initiatives.👍😲

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Another TPM covering more Trump Trump Trump. I will not be renewing my subscription.

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A couple points. I can't understand why DOJ did not reinstate the charges against Flynn and his son. The only explanation that makes sense to me is Milquetoast Merrick is gop and he thinks his job is to protect gop not prosecute. Fortenberry should be retried in the appropriate venue.

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Wasn't it Barr in charge of DOJ with the Flynn mess?

I'm wondering how Flynn kept

kept his commission, or is a

pardon a free pass on that too? Trump's the one who

pardoned Flynn.

As for Fortenberry...nail him

one way or another in the right state!

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The military is not bound by the pardon, it could recall and court martial him. Also part of Flynn's deal was his son would not be prosecuted, that should've been reinstated. I am unsure if the pardon prevents DOJ from pursuing the matter, regardless, it's obvious that Flynn got away with all of it right?

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I was pretty sure military wasn't bound by pardon and

felt he should have been

prosecuted and dishonorably

discharged. I would have to

talk to some of my JAG friends, 'cause if he was retired - I can't remember if

he was active duty or not - it

would be different. Tricky military laws.

Flynn wasn't the only one who "got away with it". But

yeah and now he's been baptizing people. Where's

about of lightning when you

need it!?

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Ok...a retired high flying military officer cannot be

dishonorably "discharged"

per se. They are not

considered discharged from the military. They have to

resign their commission to

be fully discharged. They can only be brought up on charges of murder, sexual assault, mutiny, treason - high crimes. Lying to the FBI is not considered an offense worthy of a dishonorable discharge.

Mike Flynn retired in 2014.

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Yes, the pardon does prevent

DOJ from getting Flynn on the charges he was pardoned

for but NOT any crimes he's

committed since if proven

guilty.

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