ABSCAM agents to FBI chief: Bureau's 'reputation' on the line in Clinton probe

Suddenly it seems the FBI is concerned about their reputation. Where were they during Operation Fast and Furious? Where was former FBI Director Mueller when it came to questioning the TeaParty members who were targeted during the IRS scandal? What about the VA scandal?

Solyndra?....Benghazi?

Anybody in jail?

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April 5, 2016: FBI Director James Comey addresses the media after visiting with employees and other law enforcement officials in Detroit.

Former FBI agents who worked the notorious 1970s sting operation known as ABSCAM have written FBI Director James Comey to warn that nothing less than the bureau's "reputation" is on the line as the investigation into Hillary Clinton's email practices enters a critical phase.

The agents, in a March 16 letter obtained by Fox News, offered their support for Comey and the agents working the email case. But the letter cautioned the outcome would have long-lasting implications.

"Decisions must be made on facts alone. Much is at stake here -- people's trust in the Bureau for years to come, as well as the Bureau's reputation among our allies, partners, and friends as the greatest law enforcement agency in the world,” wrote John F. Good, president of the Long Island Chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI.

Good told Fox News a half-dozen FBI agents who worked the 1978 ABSCAM investigation – which targeted sitting members of Congress -- belong to the chapter. The ABSCAM investigation included more than 30 political figures, with six House members and one U.S. senator ultimately convicted of crimes. The investigation was depicted in the 2013 Golden Globe-winning movie "American Hustle," in which Bradley Cooper played an agent based on Good and others. 

Good, 79, told Fox News by phone that the Clinton email case boils down to whether the U.S. is a nation of laws, where all citizens are equal under the law, or there is a different set of rules for the powerful. He said the ABSCAM agents thought it was important to show support for the bureau’s work in the email probe since they know what it feels like to face intense public scrutiny. 

Good, though, said the pressure the ABSCAM agents faced 40 years ago pales in comparison to what Comey and the agents are dealing with today regarding the Democratic presidential front-runner and her aides.

On “Fox News Sunday” last weekend, President Obama weighed in on the ongoing email investigation, saying his former secretary of state had not intentionally harmed national security, but had been "careless" with her emails. White House Spokesman Josh Earnest later confirmed the president was not briefed on the investigation by the FBI or Justice Department, and had based his statements on media reports.

(Doesn't he always get his "news" from the media reports?)

Obama, meanwhile, repeatedly vowed there would be no political influence in the case.

Good said that at the outset of ABSCAM, then-FBI Director William Webster had their backs and told them, "The future of the FBI rests on this case."

He said the same holds true today, but added that the retired agents are concerned Comey may not have the same level of support from the Justice Department, where Attorney General Loretta Lynch will make the decision on whether a prosecution is pursued.

"It does not appear that the same relationship between the FBI and DOJ exists today on the case," he told Fox News.

Then-FBI agent Good was a central player in ABSCAM. A native of the Bronx, and son of an FBI agent, he was known for his expertise navigating the tricky business of selecting and developing informants. In 1977, Good had been working on an ongoing inquiry into payoffs to officials in Suffolk County, N.Y., during a sewer project but the pressure from the bureau was to develop bigger and more major cases.

So in 1977, Good selected a crook's crook by working with a colorful swindler from Long Island named Mel Weinberg (the basis for the “American Hustle” character played by Christian Bale) to ferret out widespread government corruption. The undercover operation featured agents posing as phony Arab sheiks toting suitcases full of cash and stolen artwork, all caught on 1,000 hours of videotape.

Now 91 and living in Florida, Weinberg told Fox News that "the country is going to pot. Today's politicians are too smart, the money is greater and they all learned from ABSCAM."

Catherine Herridge is an award-winning Chief Intelligence correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC) based in Washington, D.C. She covers intelligence, the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Herridge joined FNC in 1996 as a London-based correspondent.

ABSCAM agents to FBI chief: Bureau's 'reputation' on the line in Clinton probe

Cher's 'torn up' that she has more in common with Bernie Sanders then Hillary Clinton

Poor woman. What a dilemma. Her choice is between a woman, a known liar, who's been steeped in scandals her entire political life who may wind up indicted in yet another one versus a raving 74-year-old lunatic Socialist who wants free everything not to mention penning his bizarre sexual fantasies in the Vermont Freeman.

Bernie Sanders describes 'rape fantasy' in bizarre 1972 essay

Guess voting for John Kasich would be akin to a beheading.

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Cher, a vocal supporter of Clinton's campaign, has revealed she is now 'torn' between the Democratic candidates.

The singer, who has backed Hillary throughout her presidential campaign, has been a vocal opponent of Bernie Sanders who she branded as 'disingenuous' and unable to win.

But appears Cher may have changed her mind.

In a series of tweets, she revealed that she had discovered she may actually have more in common with Clinton's rival. 

'Realize now that I have MUCH common ground and new respect for Sanders,' she wrote. 

Cher has been a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton (pictured together in 2000) during this presidential election year and a vocal opponent of Bernie Sanders who she branded as 'disingenuous'

But appears Cher may have changed her mind after a series of tweets revealed she was 'torn' between the two Democratic candidates

But she still wasn't won over by Sanders' campaign manager Jeff Weaver who she called an 'a**hole.'

The Burlesque actress had began by ranting about Weaver who she blamed for Bernie's line that 'Hillary is responsible for ISIS.'

She hit out at the manager saying the quote was 'pure Trump' and calling him 'scum'.

But yesterday she appeared to have a change of heart towards the Sanders campaign.

Cher wrote that after blocking people on Twitter she started to 'feel uneasy' and went into 'marathon research mode' with an open mind.

'In the quiet of the night,' she said it dawned on her that Sanders' beliefs 'mirrored' her own more than she had realized. 

She that the realization had 'left her 'shaken to my core.'

The Grammy winner has been a long time supporter of Clinton and said she liked and admired the former First Lady who she described as 'smart, capable and strong.'

Cher said she now realizes she has 'much common ground and new respect' for Bernie Sanders

'I hope & pray (for her & country)...the woman I fought hard for many yrs ago... Is still there.'

But the singer said has the difficult decision as to who she backs in the run up to the election. 

'Brutally honest, I'm torn up,' she said.

Celebrities have been lining up behind their separate Democratic candidates as the election race speeds up.

Hillary has quite a number of celebrity endorsers behind her. Lena Dunham, Ellen Degeneres, Salma Hayek, and Beyoncé have all spoken out in support of the candidate either in interviews or on social media.

While Katy Perry even performed at a rally for Hillary in the swing state of Iowa.

Spin City star Rosario Dawson and filmmaker Spike Lee, however, have been showing their support for Sanders.

Will Ferrell had been another of Bernie's supporters until recently, when he decided to jump to Hilary's camp.

The comedian and actor even appeared in a short video campaigning for Hillary Clinton in Nevada despite previously being on a list of celebrity endorsements for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.

Bernie Sanders and Hollywood stars rally supporters in NYC

His name has since been removed from Sander's endorsers.

Meanwhile, Cher has been vocal about the Republican side of the campaign too, with some special words for Donald Trump. 

'Trump's so disgusting, no words describe him. Maybe visuals; Hair In Soup, Gum Disease, KKK, Maggots, SeaWorld, Pus, Fracking, Vomit, Child Hunger.' 

The Just Like Jesse James singer has previously mocked his hair saying The Donald 'can't come up with a hairstyle that looks human, how can he come up with a plan to defeat ISIS?'

The veteran star didn't have much time for some of the other republican hopefuls either.

Being given the choice between The Apprentice star or Tea Party darling Ted Cruz is like being asked, 'would you rather have a Migraine or Throw Up' she tweeted previously.

Cher's 'torn up' that she has more in common with Bernie Sanders then Hillary Clinton

Bet Cruz regrets his "New York values " comment

So he'll probably be putting this to good use.

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Fresh document trove sheds light on Clinton-Trump ties

The release Tuesday by the National Archives of a fresh trove of documents detailing the Clinton administration's dealings with billionaire Donald Trump could become the latest fuel for flame-throwing in an already incendiary 2016 presidential race.

The documents include: a signed copy of Trump's "The Art of the Deal," delivered to a top aide to then-President Clinton; logs of Trump's invitations to the Clinton White House; and an entry about a Trump Towers photo-op with the president. 

The files come at a sensitive time in the Republican presidential race, and could be used by Trump's top rival Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to paint the billionaire businessman as too closely tied to the Clinton family – as Hillary Clinton leads the 2016 primary race on the Democratic side. Trump previously has brushed off the criticism, saying he had contact with Bill and Hillary Clinton, and countless other powerful people, because as a businessman he had to get along with everybody.

The newly released files shed light on that relationship.

One document is a photocopy of his best-selling book, "The Art of the Deal," sent to Bill Clinton aide Mark Middleton. An autographed page says "To Mark – Best Wishes," and adds, "Your Mom Is The Best."

Another is a 1993 invitation to President Clinton, though not from Trump himself, to join a charity event in Atlantic City where Trump was slated to attend.

A 2000 entry reflects that the president participated in a photo op with Trump at Trump Towers in New York. And another set of database entries appears to reflect a handful of White House events attended by Trump in 1995. 

The documents were among nearly 500 pages of files -- pertaining to the Clinton White House's communications regarding Trump and the Trump Organization – that were released by the National Archives and published by the Clinton library, in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

The Clintons and the Obama White House were notified back in January by the National Archives that the files would be released in April, unless President Obama or former President Bill Clinton requested a one-time extension or tried to assert a "privilege" to keep some documents private. While the Clinton library houses the records, the National Archives and Records Administration reviews and rules on requests to release such presidential documents.

The National Archives said they had reviewed a batch of several FOIA requests, for which they planned to release more than 9,000 pages. Regarding the Trump files request, the record-keepers said just three pages would be restricted.

The FOIA request itself came from BuzzFeed, an archivist told FoxNews.com. 

The documents released Tuesday also reflect the Clinton White House's interest in Trump's flirtation back in 1999 and 2000 with a third-party presidential run.

One internal White House email in early 2000 among staff notes that Trump "has his eye on the big JOB." Another from November 1999 forwards an Associated Press article detailing then-potential candidate Trump's proposal for a one-time 14.25 percent tax on the net worth of wealthy Americans.

"We may need guidance on this," says the subject line in the email.

Fast-forward to 2016, and Trump is the leading candidate for the GOP presidential nomination. The document dump comes ahead of next Tuesday's New York primary, where Trump leads by double-digits in most polls.

Cruz, though, has racked up a string of wins, including in the Wisconsin primary -- though his recent success out-maneuvering Trump in the more esoteric battle for delegates at conventions like the one last weekend in Colorado has prompted complaints from Trump that the system is "rigged." Cruz counters that he's just "whining." 

Bet Cruz regrets his "New York values " comment

The Panama Papers Are Exactly Why Hillary Clinton Can’t Be President

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The revelations from the Panama Papers—leaked documents from a secretive Panamanian law firm that helps political elites hide their money—have been hitting home across the world, exposing the widespread corruption of world leaders and their hangers-on.

It ought to hit here, too, because it reminds us of everything that should give us the heebie-jeebies about Hillary Clinton.

The Panama Papers have simply confirmed everything we already pretty much knew. This is just the way things work in much of the world. Clawing your way into high political office means that you have a lot special of favors to give out, contracts to distribute, land and timber and shipping deals to approve, and so on. So you dole them out to friends, relatives, and backers—and they naturally show their gratitude by kicking some of it back to you. And if you don’t officially get rich—well, mi casa es su casa, what’s a little sharing between friends? This has long been Vladimir Putin’s method. “In 2010, US diplomatic cables suggested Putin held his wealth via proxies. The president formally owned nothing, they added, but was able to draw on the wealth of his friends, who now control practically all of Russia’s oil and gas production and industrial resources.” The Panama Papers shed light on the fortune of Putin’s old friend Sergei Roldugin, who has somehow amassed billions as an obscure classical musician. Putin knows how easy it is for corrupt officials to live like kings without officially owning anything because that’s the way things worked in the good old days of the Soviet Union.

In most of the world, this is known and more or less accepted as the way things work. But not traditionally in the US and in the developed countries of the West, where our governments have been structured, either from the beginning or over many years of civil service reforms, to prevent corruption and conflicts of interest. So when they are exposed, it’s a major scandal. That’s why they’re pretty much ignoring the Panama Papers in Moscow, but in Iceland, crowds swarmed Reykjavik and forced the resignation of the prime minister.

And that confronts us with a question: do we want Panama here?

Because a couple of other names pop up in the Panama Papers, including those of a few well-known associates of Hillary Clinton: longtime Democratic Party fixers John and Tony Podesta and Clinton sycophant Sydney Blumenthal. And why not? Hillary Clinton has been up to her neck in crony deals from the very beginning. All the way back in 1978, for example, she indulged a sudden mania for trading cattle futures, from which she made just shy of $100,000 in less than a year—a lot more money back then than it is now, and a whole lot for a young couple like the Clintons. She has shown no interest in commodities trading since, which is surprising considering how successful she was at it. But maybe not so surprising when you consider that her trades back then were made under the guidance of an attorney who worked for a large company that just happened to be regulated by her husband. Gee, that almost looks like a bribe.

That’s the kind of thing that’s all over the Panama Papers, and it’s what Hillary Clinton has been doing forever. It’s how the Clintons suddenly made $100 million in the first few years after leaving the White House, with nothing to offer the business world but their political connections. It’s why the Clinton Foundation got massive donations from Russian businessmen with deals that required State Department approval.

The problem is wider than Hillary Clinton, of course. Donald Trump has openly bragged about his role in this system from the other end, as the businessman who buys the influence of politicians. Even Bernie Sanders, who has been making hay from the Panama Papers, advocates a much bigger role for government, particularly in regulating international trade—which is precisely the kind of playground for corruption revealed by the Panama Papers. Only Ted Cruz, despite playing footsie with protectionism during the South Carolina primary, advocates a smaller role for government in picking winners and losers in the economy.

The fact is that the reason official corruption is rampant across much of the world is not just that they have insufficient civil service reforms. It’s because their governments have vast, arbitrary powers. Hillary Clinton is one of the most visible reminders of this kind of wheeling and dealing among the global elites—and she presents us with the prospect of bringing the whole sordid system back from Panama and straight into the Oval Office.

The Panama Papers Are Exactly Why Hillary Clinton Can’t Be President

Obama: Not going to help Hillary get out of FBI investigation

What did you expect him to say?

This coming from the same guy who guaranteed you could keep your insurance.

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via:
https://earloftaint.com

President Obama said on Sunday that he is not going to help Hillary Clinton escape the FBI investigation into her server, or a potential indictment by the Justice Department.

"I can guarantee that," Obama said, rejecting claims by some Republicans that the Justice Department will face pressure to avoid finding fault by Clinton over her use of a private email account.

Obama offered cautious criticism of Clinton's management of her email.

"She's acknowledged that there's a carelessness in terms of managing e-mails that she has owned," he said. "And she recognizes that."

Obama said he can guaranttee there will be no interference with the Justice Department because "I do not talk to the attorney general about pending investigations. I do not talk to FBI directors about pending investigations. We have a strict line, and always have maintained it," Obama said in an interview with "Fox News Sunday" host Chris Wallace.

"I guarantee that there is no political influence in any investigation conducted by the Justice Department or the FBI, not just in this case, but in any case. Full stop. Period. Guaranteed. Full stop. No one gets treated differently when it comes to the Justice Department, because nobody is above the law," Obama reiterated.

Asked if that would remain the case if she receives the Democratic presidential nomination, Obama was clear: "How many times do I have to say it, Chris? Guaranteed."

Obama said that Clinton had done an "excellent" job as secretary of state.

"I continue to believe that she has not jeopardized America's national security," he said.

"It also is important to recognize and to keep it in perspective this is someone who served her country for four years as secretary of state and did an outstanding job, and no one has suggested that in some way as a consequence of how she's handled emails, that that detracted from her excellent ability to carry out her duties," he added.

(You know, like the great job she did with Benghazi)

Charles Krauthammer put it best:

"When people talk about Hillary being a superb secretary of state, I just ask one question. Name me one thing, just one, not three, give me one thing she achieved in her four years as secretary of state. I have yet to hear an answer. ... She traveled a lot. So did Marco Polo. And you want him to be president?"

Obama: Not going to help Hillary get out of FBI investigation