Vindman/Williams hearing thoughts here:
Listening to Schiff's opening timeline of events -- omg Nunes opener is going to be 🌰🌰
Listening to Schiff's opening timeline of events -- omg Nunes opener is going to be 🌰🌰
Nunes immediately launches into attacks on media and diplomats (which he says with great disdain).
Nunes still thinks Russia is a hoax which may explain why he is pushing the Ukraine conspiracy nonsense.
Nunes still thinks Russia is a hoax which may explain why he is pushing the Ukraine conspiracy nonsense.
The media are "puppets for the Democratic Party" says Nunes, ignoring their attacks on Clinton and stanning for Trump helped get him elected.
LOFL Nunes now citing conspiracist John Solomon as the source of all truth 😂😂😂
There
Was
No
Ukraine
"Meddling"
In
2016
The Russian attack on America was directed by THE KREMLIN. Not a few randos someone met on a train.
There
Was
No
Ukraine
"Meddling"
In
2016
The Russian attack on America was directed by THE KREMLIN. Not a few randos someone met on a train.
So to be clear:
Schiff has a timeline and facts
Nunes had jazz hands and conspiracies and no facts.
Cool.
Schiff has a timeline and facts
Nunes had jazz hands and conspiracies and no facts.
Cool.
Williams opening statement clear on timeline and facts as she knows them, no fuss or opinions so far.
Vindman statement emphasizes that US policy states it is focused on combating Russian hybrid aggression, including in Ukraine, which is why we support Ukraine. He then lays out details on timeline. He is clear that he explained his concerns re Burisma issue from start.
Vindman also mentions that he discussed the investigations with Fiona Hill, both had concerns.
He ends with a shout-out against personal attacks on those testifying in investigations. This will annoy the Rs, but is important.
He ends with a shout-out against personal attacks on those testifying in investigations. This will annoy the Rs, but is important.
All three Vindman brothers served in US military "out of gratitude," he says. He thanks his father for giving them this chance.
As a lawyering point -- Vindman is over-answering questions and will be hit on this by Rs. He should just answer question, not provide commentary or interpretation. That's the job of the questioner.
Surprised neither witnesses nor members/counsel reference the NSS (national security strategy) which was written by Trump's NSC to state US policy under his presidency.
Ukraine/Russia section clear; this pushes back on R notion that these are rogues acting against POTUS policy.
Ukraine/Russia section clear; this pushes back on R notion that these are rogues acting against POTUS policy.
They were in fact ENACTING POTUS stated policy.
Nunes goes straight to what Williams knows re conspiracies on crowdstrike and Hunter Biden. All his questions are on burisma.
It's like there are two parallel hearings and one is conducted only with Infowars puppets.
Both Williams and Vindman: "no we don't read John Solomon's cuckoo bird conspiracies and are unaware of these 'facts' that you state"
Now Nunes is on to accusing them of being leakers, maybe.
Now Nunes is on to accusing them of being leakers, maybe.
Both witnesses make clear they were not behind any leaks nor directing them.
Nunes now asking if they have used computers aren't authorized to use. FFS.
Nunes accusing Vindman of knowing and "outing" the whistleblower. Nunes is unhappy that Schiff is not allowing answers re contacts in intelligence community. Vindman lawyer interjects, says following rules of chair, no need to plead 5th, quit heavy-handing (you dope).
Repub counsel doing best to make Vindman look like disgruntled employee. Now saying Ukrainian MoD offered him a job, so Rs aiming for dual loyalty point. This is really garbage.
To be clear, on Vindman's point -- a retired US Army Colonel, Aleks Einseln, returned to Estonia as its 1st post indep chief of defense. It was a big deal b/c working for a foreign govt/military isn't allowed for US soldiers, and he lost his pension. McCain fought to get it back.
A US naval officer of Latvian origin rebuilt the Latvian navy.
Another US army officer of Lithuanian origin played a key role in rebuilding Lithuania's defense forces.
All three Baltics have other US-trained officers, some West Point grads, sprinkled around.
Another US army officer of Lithuanian origin played a key role in rebuilding Lithuania's defense forces.
All three Baltics have other US-trained officers, some West Point grads, sprinkled around.
Baltics needed this expertise because much of Soviet-educated officer corps was not what you wanted to rebuild a western interoperable military. And these countries wanted to get into NATO.
Balts fled the Soviet occupation. Many joined the US military. They wanted to fight Russians, communism. They helped build the original SF units. Many 2nd and 3rd generation officers still serve.
After independence, it was a unique opportunity for many to go back and rebuild
After independence, it was a unique opportunity for many to go back and rebuild
It was a unique generation.
Of course the Ukrainians would want Vindman to help bolster the US relationship and work toward NATO. It's an expertise pool they can recruit in other areas -- but for US mil, is a big deal.
Of course the Ukrainians would want Vindman to help bolster the US relationship and work toward NATO. It's an expertise pool they can recruit in other areas -- but for US mil, is a big deal.
Einseln is buried in Arlington. 
I want to be clear that the Morrison deposition specifically said he does not believe Vindman is a leaker. Jim Jordan is scum.
Note: being an assistant to the president often means not talking to the president.
The smearing of Vindman as a leaker, outside his chain of command, insubordinate, a man of dual loyalties -- is absolutely, completely despicable, made worse by the fact that it is totally unnecessary.
The shame bell is ringing for many today.
The shame bell is ringing for many today.
Also, to be clear: the Morrison deposition specified that Vindman was left out of meetings not to punish him/because he did something wrong, but because the more senior people knew what POTUS was doing was irregular, and wanted to keep it in a small cone of silence.
Vindman reminds "Ukraine meddling" narrative is pushed by the Kremlin and Kremlin disinformation. That was bold.
I'm sure later Stefanik will remind us that the voters of NY-whatever are super concerned about Chalupa.
I'm sure later Stefanik will remind us that the voters of NY-whatever are super concerned about Chalupa.
Ratcliffe: "so you both heard 'burisma' and 'biden' and 'favor' -- but nothing about the space aliens, right?"
Basically now:
Still is in Russia. Not here. Yet.
