LET’S TALK TURKEY (Or The Country That Shall Not Be Named)
We talk about Russia...a lot.
Even though there’s no there there with Russia and the Trump campaign.
How do we know that?
Because Jon Solomon reported that Strzok texted Lisa Page “There’s no big there there.”
thehill.com/hilltv/rising/…
Solomon has great sources, but every source is motivated to craft his own narrative. That’s likely the reason the source is talking in the first place. It’s up to us to properly understand the meaning of the info in a larger context.
In Mike Flynn’s statement of offense, he is accused of giving false statements to the FBI concerning two countries: Russia and Turkey.
In the case of Turkey, He is accused of making “materially false statements and omissions” in his FARA filings.
Strzok interviewed Flynn about his interactions with representatives of the Russian government. Not Turkish.
Turkey was “Jens side of the house.” Apparently there was no interview. Flynn was charged based on his FARA filings.
On August 9, 2016, Flynn Intel group signed a contract with a Dutch company, owned by Ekin Alpetkin, the chairman of the Turkish-American Business Council.
Alpetkin paid over $500,000 to Flynn’s firm from August to November 2016.
bloomberg.com/news/articles/…
Nick Weil points out that on August 11, 2016, Strozk texts Lisa Page asking for possible codenames for an investigation.
(Coincidently, on August 10, 2016, Christopher Steele filed a memo that mentions Mike Flynn.)
The next day (Feb 7, 2017) President Trump spoke to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan by phone.
conservativedailynews.com/2017/02/presid…
This split between the Russia and Turkey investigations continued, I believe, after the appointment of Robert Mueller as Special Counsel.
Discussed here:
Many on MAGA twitter have called the allegations against Flynn related to Turkey, “bogus”.
But have they forgotten who broke the story of Flynn’s connection to Turkey?
It was Chuck Ross of the Daily Caller.
dailycaller.com/2016/11/11/tru…
I’m not sure how they reconcile the opinion that Ross is invaluable source of information when it comes to Stefan Harper and the Russian investigation and a purveyor of bogus stories on Mike Flynn and the Turkish investigation.
Could it be as simple as Turkey is an important NATO ally and Russia isn’t?
And since most Trump supporters admire Mike Flynn, we don’t bring it either?
Hence we’re all prisoners of the Russia Box.
Before anyone go @ Chuck Ross over his views on Mike Flynn, remember what Vice President Mike Pence said about Flynn after the revelation of Turkish connection.
thehill.com/homenews/admin…
There are some genuine discrepancies between Flynn, Ross and Pence.
For those who hold all 3 men in esteem they may be inclined to avoid talking Turkey because it’s mentally uncomfortable.
Credit to knowitall for being one the few conservatives (sorry, “common sense republicans”) willing to address the conflicting statements between Flynn and Pence.
I’m OK with acknowledging that Ross’ reporting is correct (and you should read it, if you haven’t).
At the same time, I’ve written elsewhere how I see Flynn as a “good soldier.”
I’m willing to wait to hear him speak before I change my opinion.
Most of all I hope more people are willing to talk Turkey because I can’t bare any more speculation about what PapaD told Alexander Downer.
It’s past time we broke out of the Russia Box.