Four Seasons, Part 2? Maddow finds something weird in the next big Giuliani event

[UCmeNdc]

Link to tweet

[Lonestarblue]

1. Something else Maddow reported last night is concerning.

Trump has pulled the US out of the Open Skies Treaty with Russia, which had been announced months ago. I had assumed that Biden could simply reverse that decision, but Rachel said that Trump has also ordered that the specialized planes used for these flights are to be destroyed so that Biden cannot rejoin the treaty without millions of dollars to build new planes.

Pompeo has been lighting fires in the Middle East to make it difficult for Biden to get Iran back to the table for the nuclear deal and Trump has ordered the destruction of valuable military aircraft. Could someone tell me why these actions are not treason against the US government? I really, really hope the military tells hides those planes and tells Trump they have been destroyed.

Trump and Pompeo are two of the most despicable people imaginable, though Stephen Miller, Steven Mnuchin, and Betsy DeVos rank close to the top. Trump’s administration should be called the Cabinet of Corruption by historians.

[Buckeyeblue]

3. I agree that Trump has the authority to withdraw from the treaty.

However, I don't see how he has the authority to order any military equipment to be destroyed. It would seem to me that there are established laws and protocols around that type of thing.

I wonder if Biden has a back channel communication to military heads that signal his protection if they slow walk this order.

I also think there is a criminal investigation here. There is no way Trump is doing this without getting something in return.

[DeminPennswoods]

8. There's an entire process for disposing of

material deemed excess. In fact there's an entire organization in DoD tasked with that mission: https://www.dla.mil/DispositionServices/About/Mission.aspx There are DoD civil service jobs specifially called Disposal Specialists.

CFR also addresses disposal: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/32/273.7#e

Aircraft specific: https://www.dla.mil/DispositionServices/DDSR/TurnIn/Aircraft/

And even if the surveillance aircraft are deemed excess and removed from service, they are likely to end up at Tuscon in storage. https://en.wikipedia.orgwiki/309th_Aerospace_Maintenance_and_Regeneration_Group

The bottom line is that even if these aircraft are taken out of service, they will be easy to recall out of storage.

[judesedit]

9. I thought I read the aircraft was being sold or gifted to other countries

Can't remember which countries right now, though.

[DeminPennswoods]

12. Hadn't heard that

Realistically, no one at DoD is going to do anything about the disposal direction during the transition.

[judesedit]

16. They tagged them "excess defence articles" and handed them off to other countries

Dumpy's trying to kill the program for good.

[DeminPennswoods]

18. DoD can't just hand them off

There's a process to go through. Maddow sometimes put out information that's not entirely accurate.

[SergeStorms]

19. And the Trump administration....

very often thumbs it's nose at any law's, rules, or accepted norms in order to achieve their nefarious objectives. Trump is actively hobbling the Biden administration, just to assuage his damaged ego from losing an election he viewed as his birthright. He continues to throw tantrums like a petulant 5 year old.

[ProfessorGAC]

6. I Read The Planes Are Obsolete

I think this move is empty symbolism by the maladministration.
There are better, stealthier planes, and satellites that do the job well.
Nero thinks he's lighting another match, but Biden can reestablish the treaty and the lost planes are not a barrier.

[DeminPennswoods]

10. This is a modified C-135

Since the KC-135s are the mainstays of airborne refueling, there's plenty of material and repair capability for them.

We probably do need newer versions of observation aircraft, but given the cost and development time for what will be a small number of planes, it's probably not in the cards.

[grantcart]

17. Given the advancements in satellite technology you have to wonder

If planes are even needed beyond the symbolic point.

I had a cousin who worked on the secret Spawars plant in San Diego and he once remarked that the high tech buoys had made submarines obsolete at a fraction of the cost, but they have significant symbolic power.

You have to wonder if it is a significant strategic loss why the Chiefs aren't leaking reports to their favorite Senators, etc.

[Eugene]

15. They also released the funding for newer planes.

Open Skies is about transparency. There is no need for stealth or speed.
The rugged old C-135s are still in service until suitable replacements
are deemed necessary.

First, the Biden Administration will have to go to Congress to fund the planes.

Acquiring and fitting out new planes is not an overnight process,
especially if contract bidding procedures are followed.

Replacing KC-135 tankers has been a scandal with years of delays.

[mopinko]

2. exit through the grift shop.

i love it. anyone who doesnt get the reference, it's a yoga joke.
peace, love, and exit through the gift shop.

[TheRickles]

13. And the Banksy "documentary". :-)

[mopinko]

21. ok, now i have to go find that.

i lovvvvve banksy.

[TheRickles]

22. It's called "Exit Through the Gift Shop"

and it's as "meta" as Banksy's artwork. Here's the trailer: " target="_blank">

If you love Banksy, I'd recommend you go ahead and see the film first, before looking up reviews and Wikipedia. It can be rented for $2 via YouTube. Enjoy!

[mopinko]

23. oooooh take my money.

this will be tonight's movie, fersher.
cannes is a nice place to visit. lol.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Four Seasons was a tip off in plain sight

Everyone thought weird, huh? Bad planning, how could they do this?

But it alerted the big crooks so they didn't get caught.

[C_U_L8R]

5. What could go wrong with a large indoor gathering...

...at the very height of the greater second wave of the virus??? Is this like a passive-aggressive Jonestown?

[Amishman]

7. So its another Q-fest press conference with a fancy name

I'd say calling this an 'investigation' is like lipstick on a pig, but I'm pretty sure we're dealing with the other end of the swine.

[UCmeNdc]

11. Trump to travel 'unannounced' to fake 'hearing' on election fraud

Trump to travel ‘unannounced’ to fake ‘hearing’ on election fraud — after aides failed to talk him out of it: reports

Link to tweet

[Smackdown2019]

14. Lets send trump to Russia

Here is an idea, send trump to Russia so he could spy for us... you know double agent...

He could use his old Trump plane and it could be outfitted with cameras, spy stuff and once he lands there, he can get all those Russian state secrets from his good ole buddy putin.. after all, he is trumpys penpal.

After a state dinner, trump could lay his fat Sharpe out on the table that is layered with a state of the art microphone embedded within. You know trump will want to have Putin sign his name on his red necktie...

Then head out to an all white golf course where you have to use orange balls. Putin runs out of his orange balls and ask trump for his two orange balls. Unbeknownst to Putin, Melania already snip them when he left with divorce papers.....

Of course, all sounds all too far fetched, but seriously doubt trump would ever come back if he flee to Russia.

[SergeStorms]

20. Hey, "no one has been tougher on Russia"....

than Donald Trump. He actually expects people with an IQ greater than room temperature to believe that horse-shit. Of course the cult believes every word of that tripe.