Jussie Smollett Charged with False Report

[Kodiak]

Laughing my tits off that anyone thinks Trump is responsible for the economy.

Hate to burst your bubble, but the tax cuts and regulatory environment that he's directly responsible for are very REAL tailwinds for the economy. And it's not inaccurate to describe Obama and Dem policies as anti-growth. Simply by virtue of not being Obama, yes, he's had a positive impact.

The tariffs are not good and are hurting, but overall businesses are much, much more enthusiastic than they were after 8 years of Obama and expecting 8 years of Hillary....

[Kodiak]

However, when you factor the deep deep recession the economy was in when he took office his numbers should have boomed. They did not. What they were was the weakest recovery following a deep recession in post WWII history.

Trump by comparison took over an economy that was already 8 years into its expansion (a weak one but expansion nonetheless) and expanded it from there.

I'm no fan of Trump, but I keep telling people as the Dems move left and keep advocating for "European-style" socialism:
1) Do you have ANY IDEA what taxes are in Europe? What your taxes would be to pay for everything you think we should have?
2) Do you realize that 10% unemployment and 1.5% growth is the norm in Europe? That's a direct result of the fiscal and economic policies people here want. Those numbers are simply unacceptable here, even for most liberals.

[Legacy User]

Laughing my tits off that anyone thinks Trump is responsible for the economy.

Hate to burst your bubble, but the tax cuts and regulatory environment that he's directly responsible for are very REAL tailwinds for the economy. And it's not inaccurate to describe Obama and Dem policies as anti-growth. Simply by virtue of not being Obama, yes, he's had a positive impact.

The tariffs are not good and are hurting, but overall businesses are much, much more enthusiastic than they were after 8 years of Obama and expecting 8 years of Hillary....

Tailwind and primarimy responsibile are rather far apart.

Economy was already doing well when Trump took over.

[Legacy User]

However, when you factor the deep deep recession the economy was in when he took office his numbers should have boomed. They did not. What they were was the weakest recovery following a deep recession in post WWII history.

Trump by comparison took over an economy that was already 8 years into its expansion (a weak one but expansion nonetheless) and expanded it from there.

I'm no fan of Trump, but I keep telling people as the Dems move left and keep advocating for "European-style" socialism:
1) Do you have ANY IDEA what taxes are in Europe? What your taxes would be to pay for everything you think we should have?
2) Do you realize that 10% unemployment and 1.5% growth is the norm in Europe? That's a direct result of the fiscal and economic policies people here want. Those numbers are simply unacceptable here, even for most liberals.

I’ve always possibly mistakenly assumed that if you compare what we end up paying for services out of our pockets vs what you pay in taxes over there that ends up providing what we pay for ends up breaking about even.

[COR-TEN]

Laughing my tits off that anyone thinks Trump is responsible for the economy.

Hate to burst your bubble, but the tax cuts and regulatory environment that he's directly responsible for are very REAL tailwinds for the economy. And it's not inaccurate to describe Obama and Dem policies as anti-growth. Simply by virtue of not being Obama, yes, he's had a positive impact.

The tariffs are not good and are hurting, but overall businesses are much, much more enthusiastic than they were after 8 years of Obama and expecting 8 years of Hillary....

Tailwind and primarimy responsibile are rather far apart.

Economy was already doing well when Trump took over.

And it depends on what metrics you use.

[COR-TEN]

I’ve always possibly mistakenly assumed that if you compare what we end up paying for services out of our pockets vs what you pay in taxes over there that ends up providing what we pay for ends up breaking about even.

But, but, but. . . That doesn't allow for graft. There has to be winners and losers. There is no such thing as all winners.

Unless you're the patriots.

[Kodiak]

Tailwind and primarimy responsibile are rather far apart.

Economy was already doing well when Trump took over.

What I'm saying is Trump gets credit for not being a socialist. Of course the POTUS isn't "primarily responsible", but they DO have an impact.

[Kodiak]

And it depends on what metrics you use.

Not really. This is very black and white (and I say that hoping, dearly, to not trigger you on racism).

My "metrics" are the Board Room. You can disagree based on the many "reporters" you read that have never been in a Board Room.

[Kodiak]

I’ve always possibly mistakenly assumed that if you compare what we end up paying for services out of our pockets vs what you pay in taxes over there that ends up providing what we pay for ends up breaking about even.

Not even close. Do some research - massive tax increases. 20%+ VAT off the top....plus 22% vs. 14% FICA equivalent. This crap dies quick if people understand what all this "free" shit is going to cost them.

And it's rather obvious - you simply can't soak the rich nearly enough to fund all this. As has been frequently said - "the middle class is where the money is".

[alancac98]

This sort of encapsulates the reason I can't have a reasonable debate with any of you -- 95 is trying to argue that Trump is not a misogynist. That position exemplifies your willful ignorance, mental gymnastics, denial, and/or trolling. It is so fucking ridiculous to think or suggest that this pig has anything but disdain and disrespect for women (and people of color, and immigrants, and poor people, etc. etc.). You are defending the indefensible, as you have with everything Trump has done, and you have no fucking credibility.

Your side won. Sweet. Congratulations. That's what this is about. That's why you still bring up Hillary -- who is a now-irrelevant private citizen -- to remind everyone that you won. You took your country back. You've got less than 2 years left (possibly a lot less). Enjoy it, but remember that this country is getting less Republican, less religious, and less white every day.

Do you even listen to what you, yourself says? That 1st paragraph represents my exact thoughts about you as well, only in the opposite direction. You have such hate for the man, you cannot see any good that he has or could ever do. Said it before, he could cure cancer and you would still bitch about it! He could strike an unparalleled trade deal with China, and you would still bitch about it! Nothing the guy does, will ever be right with you, so having a legitimate discuss with you, is also out of the question. As I have stated before, there are several things I dislike about him, but there are several things I do like. Said the same thing about every President over the last 30+ years. I wish he would stop tweeting so much, I wish he would stop exaggerating things and fact check himself more. I like that he is trying to make America and it's people the focus of our Government once again. I like it that he's trying to make trade a fair deal for America, instead of letting us get bent over time and time again.

Dare you to list list two things you don't like and two things you like about him as our President!! Double dare you - the first part will be easy, the second part might burn your soul quite a bit!

[R_S]

Laughing my tits off that anyone thinks Trump is responsible for the economy.

Everyone, everyone knows that the president has a very limited effect.

Trump has every appearance of being a very untalented politician relative to the position he occupies. Having an utterly dysfunctional legislative branch doesn’t help him.

What in the world has the guy done that is not by executive fiat? Other than the judges, which is a big deal to be sure, what has he done that the next executive cannot just undo with a pen?

I was laughing my tits off when Trump won and all the major news media networks were predicting a major and IMMEDIATE tank in the stock market. Trump was going to tank the economy! It was reported far and wide. Trump's election was being blamed for a market crash before it happened. When it didn't happen, and the opposite happened, and everyone's 401ks were up 30% it had nothing to do with Trump. So Lit, which was it?

[Legacy User]

Laughing my tits off that anyone thinks Trump is responsible for the economy.

Everyone, everyone knows that the president has a very limited effect.

Trump has every appearance of being a very untalented politician relative to the position he occupies. Having an utterly dysfunctional legislative branch doesn’t help him.

What in the world has the guy done that is not by executive fiat? Other than the judges, which is a big deal to be sure, what has he done that the next executive cannot just undo with a pen?

I was laughing my tits off when Trump won and all the major news media networks were predicting a major and IMMEDIATE tank in the stock market. Trump was going to tank the economy! It was reported far and wide. Trump's election was being blamed for a market crash before it happened. When it didn't happen, and the opposite happened, and everyone's 401ks were up 30% it had nothing to do with Trump. So Lit, which was it?

Why is any of that proof that Trump is primarily responsible for the economy? Which is it? I have no idea why you’re asking.

[Kodiak]

Why is any of that proof that Trump is primarily responsible for the economy? Which is it? I have no idea why you’re asking.

I still don't have a good explanation for this.

We got the usual rationalizations....Trump was pro-growth. Trump was for lower taxes. All economic tailwinds. Most importantly, it wasn't the leftist anti-growth agenda of Obama/Hillary. And with a Republican Congress, these pro-growth measure could be passed, and some of the Obama anti-growth measures could be overturned.

That's all well and good. But none of that explains how the market felt pre-election, and during that night. Perhaps it was because Republicans, somewhat surprisingly, also held on to the House and Senate. Because Trump's agenda was not a surprise or unknown - it's unexplainable why futures were tanking the night of the electionl.

Just to completely pile on. We had as much turmoil and uncertainty only rivaled by the Bush recount in 2000. Yet markets kept rocketing upward. The ONLY explanation I can come up with is the market was "depressed", trading sideways for half a year expecting a Hillary win. Which means the "Trump bump" is, essentially, nothing more than "Hillary didn't win".

[Kodiak]

All charges dropped ?!?!?!?!?!?

Police chief and Mayor appeared to be pretty disgusted. It really does pay to have friends in high places.

[alancac98]

All charges dropped ?!?!?!?!?!?

Police chief and Mayor appeared to be pretty disgusted. It really does pay to have friends in high places.

Yeah, if I were the Mayor, I don't except this at all. I go straight to the feds. Hell, If he has any power, I launch an investigation into all that are involved as you know large amounts of money were moved and political favors were done, most notably by the POS Obama himself - gotta protect the brotherhood and all. See, it's just not white privileged that sets our country apart. We have a serious problem with the political system. Maybe the Mayor should go out and hire the two guys to really beat the piss out of him. After all, the Police Chief could investigate and find nothing this time around!!!

I also take this higher up in the courts to unseal the case file. Why in the hell does the case file need to be sealed, particularly if he did nothing wrong?

[Kodiak]

I also take this higher up in the courts to unseal the case file. Why in the hell does the case file need to be sealed, particularly if he did nothing wrong?

I'm satisfied with the DA's explanation, that many similar cases are handled this way. And, even if convicted, he only would have been fined and given community service. To say it's similar to other cases isn't really accurate, given the profile and status. But the punishment arguably fits the crime.

But apparently that there was no actual plea or admission of guilt, and sealing files & evidence, is unusual. I wonder if the point of sealing records is so someone else can't use the evidence to prosecute him (because he never went to trial, there's no double jeopardy - he could be tried up to whatever the statute of limitations are).

And somehow police just dumped a bunch of files before the everything is officially sealed. I don't understand how they did that, either. Especially given his lawyer was on GMA today talking about potentially suing CPD (lol, ballsy statement, but you'll never do it).

[SteelPro]

All charges dropped ?!?!?!?!?!?

Police chief and Mayor appeared to be pretty disgusted. It really does pay to have friends in high places.

Yeah, if I were the Mayor, I don't except this at all. I go straight to the feds. Hell, If he has any power, I launch an investigation into all that are involved as you know large amounts of money were moved and political favors were done, most notably by the POS Obama himself - gotta protect the brotherhood and all. See, it's just not white privileged that sets our country apart. We have a serious problem with the political system. Maybe the Mayor should go out and hire the two guys to really beat the piss out of him. After all, the Police Chief could investigate and find nothing this time around!!!

I also take this higher up in the courts to unseal the case file. Why in the hell does the case file need to be sealed, particularly if he did nothing wrong?

I guess you aren't aware that the mayor of Chicago is Obama's former chief of staff and a good friend of his.

[Kodiak]

I guess you aren't aware that the mayor of Chicago is Obama's former chief of staff and a good friend of his.

It was quite a performance then if Rahm was actually in on it, because he was pretty shocked and angry. David Axelrod expressed the same sentiments.

The guy should have had the public shaming of a trial. But maybe he's already had enough of that. Either way, despite whatever motivations or shenaningans behind the scenes, I'm inclined to believe all he gets, anyway, is probation, a fine and community service.

And maybe no trial was actually a smart decision. It would just be another circus for the usual suspects to continue to divide the country over race.

[SteelPro]

I guess you aren't aware that the mayor of Chicago is Obama's former chief of staff and a good friend of his.

It was quite a performance then if Rahm was actually in on it, because he was pretty shocked and angry. David Axelrod expressed the same sentiments.

The guy should have had the public shaming of a trial. But maybe he's already had enough of that. Either way, despite whatever motivations or shenaningans behind the scenes, I'm inclined to believe all he gets, anyway, is probation, a fine and community service.

And maybe no trial was actually a smart decision. It would just be another circus for the usual suspects to continue to divide the country over race.

That wasn’t what I was suggesting. Someone might be calling in favors for Smollett. I highly doubt it is the former president.

[Kodiak]

That wasn’t what I was suggesting. Someone might be calling in favors for Smollett. I highly doubt it is the former president.

I don't, either. But that's the joke/conspiracy making the rounds.

Michelle Obama's chief of staff DID intervene on his behalf, though. I think concerns over leaks from the police prompted the appeal to turn this over to the Feds. And as a result of that interaction, the chief prosecutor recused herself.

That's a reasonably legitimate request, but we have LITERAL proof that Obama DID call in a favor (just not the favor, or the Obama, being alluded to).

[alancac98]

All charges dropped ?!?!?!?!?!?

Police chief and Mayor appeared to be pretty disgusted. It really does pay to have friends in high places.

Yeah, if I were the Mayor, I don't except this at all. I go straight to the feds. Hell, If he has any power, I launch an investigation into all that are involved as you know large amounts of money were moved and political favors were done, most notably by the POS Obama himself - gotta protect the brotherhood and all. See, it's just not white privileged that sets our country apart. We have a serious problem with the political system. Maybe the Mayor should go out and hire the two guys to really beat the piss out of him. After all, the Police Chief could investigate and find nothing this time around!!!

I also take this higher up in the courts to unseal the case file. Why in the hell does the case file need to be sealed, particularly if he did nothing wrong?

I guess you aren't aware that the mayor of Chicago is Obama's former chief of staff and a good friend of his.

No I didn't Steel, but tell me that you never were or would never be pissed if a friend did dome end-a-round on you that made your office and police department look like fucking fools? He looked pissed, but it could have all been an act. I'm not suggesting that Smollett be sent to trial, but there should have been a guilty plea of some sort considering the amount of evidence the police department had collected. Had you or I done what he did, we would be using a lawyer hoping for a plea deal! He gets off scott-free to continue to tell his lies about his involvement and no one can refute as his record is sealed! Nice! What a slap in the face to the city of Chicago and it's elected officials.

[R_S]

My bet is rahm wants to stay in the good graces of the chief. Nothing more.


PS: its now time for the fake news to pivot to a new story since theyre entire existence the last 20 months has been on a proven false narrative!

[Kodiak]

So there's apparently an email floating around where the DA appears to be fishing for cover to dismiss the charges. But I have no idea if this was before or after she recused herself.

In either event, Chicago/IL should clean-up their own mess. I think it's wrong for the Feds to go sticking their nose in this (although CPD is apparently calling for that).

And I also think it's wrong for the CPD to release a bunch of files because they're angry over the DA's decision. Of course, I think if not for the dubious sealing of records, then the files would have been subject to FOIA requests.


What a mess. Seems clear someone called in a favor. I just can't imagine who would call in a favor for the guy when most on both the left and right are outraged over this decision.

[R_S]

So there's apparently an email floating around where the DA appears to be fishing for cover to dismiss the charges. But I have no idea if this was before or after she recused herself.

In either event, Chicago/IL should clean-up their own mess. I think it's wrong for the Feds to go sticking their nose in this (although CPD is apparently calling for that).

And I also think it's wrong for the CPD to release a bunch of files because they're angry over the DA's decision. Of course, I think if not for the dubious sealing of records, then the files would have been subject to FOIA requests.


What a mess. Seems clear someone called in a favor. I just can't imagine who would call in a favor for the guy when most on both the left and right are outraged over this decision.

I thought it was pretty well excepted that Mrs. Obama called in the favor.

[jebrick]

So there's apparently an email floating around where the DA appears to be fishing for cover to dismiss the charges. But I have no idea if this was before or after she recused herself.

In either event, Chicago/IL should clean-up their own mess. I think it's wrong for the Feds to go sticking their nose in this (although CPD is apparently calling for that).

And I also think it's wrong for the CPD to release a bunch of files because they're angry over the DA's decision. Of course, I think if not for the dubious sealing of records, then the files would have been subject to FOIA requests.


What a mess. Seems clear someone called in a favor. I just can't imagine who would call in a favor for the guy when most on both the left and right are outraged over this decision.

I thought it was pretty well excepted that Mrs. Obama called in the favor.

No. According to reports, the former assistant to the First Lady called to the DA to let them know about what Smollett felt was wrong. Had nothing to do with the Obamas other than association. This is all on the DA. I can't say it is totally wrong as the reasoning is that they have more important crimes to take before a judge for someone that would get community service.

[Suwanee88]

"You are stupid if you don't see things my exact way"

Boy...wonder why we have such a divide in this country. Truly boggles the mind

Education. Education, or the lack thereof, is why there is such a divide in this country.

You are not stupid if you don't see things my exact way. I am a moderate liberal and I can respect a lot of conservative viewpoints. Might disagree, but I can respect them.

This is not about red or blue ideologies. It's about hatred, and fear mongering, and bigotry. And those who condone, promote, or turn a blind eye to it.

I saw a quote that sums it up nicely:

Not all Trump supporters are racist, but all Trump supporters think racism is not a deal breaker.

When the fuck are you rats going to jump off of this sinking ship?

I hope he gets elected again. I want to see Yinz combust.

[Kodiak]

So a bunch of police chiefs and the Fraternal Order of Police held a press conference to give a vote of no confidence in the DA. It was apparently about much more than Smolett, but he clearly was the tipping point.

What a shit show.

[Donnie Brasco]

So a bunch of police chiefs and the Fraternal Order of Police held a press conference to give a vote of no confidence in the DA. It was apparently about much more than Smolett, but he clearly was the tipping point.

What a shit show.

It's almost like Chicago has been run by a certain faction for 20+ years....

[Kodiak]

It's almost like Chicago has been run by a certain faction for 20+ years....

#1 in public corruption. A study tallied 1531 convictions since 1976 - that's almost 40 per year! We're talking about a town that re-elected Jesse Jackson Jr despite him being in prison....

On a related note, NY and IL were not far behind. But a little bird told me socialism doesn't lead to more corruption.....

[Legacy User]

It's almost like Chicago has been run by a certain faction for 20+ years....

#1 in public corruption. A study tallied 1531 convictions since 1976 - that's almost 40 per year! We're talking about a town that re-elected Jesse Jackson Jr despite him being in prison....

On a related note, NY and IL were not far behind. But a little bird told me socialism doesn't lead to more corruption.....

Are you saying that Chicago is a "socialist" city? Or that IL is a socialist state?

I have to assume that an economist of your stature knows the difference between social insurance programs (Medicare, social security, pensions) and a socialist economic system (public ownership of the means of production, e.g., a Venezuelan regime controlling the oil industry).

Come on, man! At least be sincere when you insult people.

EDIT: I have to assume also that you know that corruption in Chicago and Illinois politics is a grand and storied American Tradition dating back to the 19th century.