DL Open Thread: Saturday, August 8, 2020

The Dysfunctional Relationship Between Trump And Intelligence Agencies.  A must-read on how Trump’s biases have led to changes in intelligence reports–mustn’t make him angry. DNI finally comes out and says it–Russia is working to reelect Trump.  Sure looks like Russia has fed disinformation to Senators Ron Johnson and Chuck Grassley, as well as, who else, Devin Nunes.

Postmaster General Torches USPS In Friday Night News Dump.  Here’s a fact that will surprise no one:

It also asks Whitcomb to review the finances of DeJoy and his wife, Aldona Wos, the nominee for ambassador to Canada. The couple’s holdings include between $30.1 million and $75.3 million in assets in USPS competitors or contractors, according to a financial disclosure Wos filed with the Office of Government Ethics when she was nominated. Postal Service mail processing contractor XPO Logistics — which acquired DeJoy’s company New Breed Logistics in 2014 — represents the vast majority of those holdings. Their combined stake in competitors UPS and trucking company J.B. Hunt is roughly $265,000.

Of course, the corruption extends to the highest levels of the Trump Administration:

Mnuchin had sought sweeping operational control of the Postal Service in previous loan terms, including provisions that would allow the Trump administration to approve senior postal personnel decisions, service contracts with third-party shippers, collective bargaining negotiation strategies and high package prices.

Montana Rethugs Illegally Tried To Get Green Party On Ballot. Failed.  There is not a dirty trick they won’t try. *Cough Kanye West Cough*

The Bizarre Story Of Joe Lieberman’s Son, Who Is Running For Senate In Georgia.  He’s published a truly weird novel full of racist tropes.  Are Joe and Chris still praying together?

How Nursing Home Billionaires Undermine The System.  Must-reading for John Carney and the new Division Director. Know your our enemy.

When You’ve (Maybe) Lost Sheldon Adelson…you’re gonna struggle.  Remember, kids, he’ll blame everyone not named Donald Trump. Adelson won’t be the last person to take a walk.

NRA Insider Goes After Wayne LaPierre.  His suit is similar to that of NY AG Letitia James. 

The suit, brought against LaPierre personally as well as the NRA and its foundation, is strikingly similar to New York’s action. It recalls how Dell’Aquila donated $100,000 to the organization thinking it would go towards promoting shooting and hunting, gun safety, wildlife conservation and the right to gun ownership in the US.

It then recounts how he discovered that far from going towards these core objectives, his money was allegedly contributing towards the luxury habits of LaPierre and other top NRA executives. Through the 2018 investigation conducted by the NRA’s then president, Oliver North of Irangate fame, Dell’Aquila learned of allegations that over several years “LaPierre had received hundreds of thousands of dollars in clothing, private jet travel and other benefits”.

In particular, Dell’Aquila’s suit alleges, some $243,644 was spent on “luxury travel for LaPierre to the Bahamas; Palm Beach; Los Angeles; Reno, Nevada; Budapest, Hungary; and Italy”. The court document further cites spending of $274,695 at a Beverly Hills clothing store on suits for LaPierre – none of which was declared under IRS tax filings.

Tornado Destruction In Delaware. You have to be a subscriber to see this. I hope all of you are OK.  We’ve had some very scary storms the last few days.  And that weather front just isn’t moving. Stay safe.

What do you want to talk about?