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[smjjames]

It's plausible, yes, however, it sounds like they've gotten no response at all.

Kellyanne Conway: "She’s been treated like a Faberge egg by all of us, beginning with me and the President," Conway said, referencing delicate, ornate Easter eggs, many of which were made for the Russian Imperial family." Really? Trump 'treating her like a 'faberge egg' reminds me of that insurance commercial (Hartford I think) where a guy trying to fix a nail gun (in a really dumb way) makes the nail gun misfire and shatter an object that looks sortof like a faberge egg.

[sluissa]

According to some sources, it's not unusual to wait to interview a primary witness last. Especially if you already know the broad sweeps of what they're going to say, so you have additional details from outside to know what more detailed questions to focus on.

[smjjames]

True, it's just that it sounds like they haven't responded and there is limited time to do an interview.

[Rolan7]

Just got the nationwide test alert, I'd be confused if I hadn't heard about it on NPR yesterday.  I guess it went out to every up-to-date smartphone at the same time, right?

So now the President has a way to send short messages to the country...  Covfefe be useful I guess.

[sluissa]

System has been in place for quite a while now, just hasn't been tested before. It's just an extension of the current radio/tv emergency alert system.

Lay off the panic until trump starts tweeting over it.

[misko27]

I agree with Nenjin, it's historical information at best because if you're surprised, you've been under a rock, underground.

I don't know, historical kind of implies that it's in the past, you know? And of that particular fact I'm not so sure... he's certainly not robbing his father anymore (because, y'know, he's dead), but my sense is that the NY Times piece was on the past because that's the records they had available, not necessarily because it only happened in the past.

[Dunamisdeos]

I do not think that historical implies that a thing is not happening in the now. Many things have happened in history and also now.

[nenjin]

For what the article covered, it's historic. The statue of limitations on tax fraud have expired. No doubt Trump used these exact same techniques to distribute wealth to his children and control the appraisal values of his assets when it was necessary, and that might be wroth investigating. But those documents and witnesses would be much, much harder to get a hold of because all the involved parties face civil if not criminal penalties.

Basically the only reason the Times got the information they did is it could not directly affect anyone. I mean, the interviewed the guy that under appraised Fred Trump's properties by 80% and he's like "whatever we did was informed by factual information and documentation that I no longer have. So good luck."

[smjjames]

The White House is getting an FBI report on Brett Kavanaugh tonight.. I'm not sure if it's the final report or just what they have so far.

[PTTG??]

From a purely technical approach, it was a good idea.

Do I expect there was any motivation behind running the test other than as purely populist grandstanding? Nope.

[Dunamisdeos]

I feel more like it's just a test, and then the internet made a circus out of it because it has President in the name.

[smjjames]

Pretty sure it's something that started getting set up well before Trump became President. The Internet made a fuss out of it because of Trumps habits and wanted to opt out of it if there was the slightest chance that he'd misuse it.

Had it been any other President, I have a feeling that the Internet would be mostly 'Okay, neat.' and moved on.

[Starver]

I (not in the US) heard about it in some news item or other.

As I'd just looked up an (apparently, I'd missed it) popular film franchise to work out what an advertisement was about, the first thing it made me think of was:

We interrupt our programming; this is a national emergency. Important instructions will follow.
The following message is been Transmitted at the request of the United States Government. At 6 P. M. Eastern Daylight Time, The commencement of the National Purge has been established to The 28th United States Amendment by the New Founding Fathers of America. This establishment means that all crimes including murder, arson and theft are legal for 12 continuous hours from 7 P. M to 7 A. M. Eastern Standard Time. All weapons of class 4 and lower are permitted, all other weapons are restricted. All government officials of ranking 10 shall not be harmed and have been granted immunity from The Purge. All Emergency Services: Fire, Police and Medical Services will not be available until The Purge is over. The ones who will not participate should seek shelter. Hide in a room with doors and windows locked. Bring some necessary supplies for your stay. Bring a battery-powered radio to receive news and information. Do not use the Internet or Telephone, as it may risk your life by finding information to where you are. Do not answer the door, shut all windows, turn off all lights and be silent if you're sheltering in place. Stay at your shelter until tomorrow at 7:15 A. M. Eastern Daylight Time. Do not leave for any reason, even picking up other family members, as you maybe too late to find shelter. This is Emergency Alert System, Blessing our New Founding Fathers, America's nation Reborn and giving this Emergency Notification.

[sluissa]

So... take it with salt, especially as she admits that the White House won't even go into specifics on the scope of the FBI investigation, but Feinstein is saying that the FBI are barred from talking to Ford or Kavanaugh and aren't allowed to speak to any additional witnesses regarding the Ramirez claims.

Not sure how that claim will hold up, but it's troubling if it does.

[nenjin]

Barred by whom? The FBI director? The Trump administration's instructions for the FBI how to investigate? The Senate Judiciary Committee?