# Can someone break down this whole Nunes Memo thing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 23, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308 "2018-01-23T16:50:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/521 "2018-02-07T21:01:56Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > The expectation was that Clinton would win, and all the trump stuff wouldn’t really be relevant. Russia tried to collude with a candidate to throw the election, and failed. That’s a nice story. However, more likely is that nobody involved wanted the appearance that the Obama administration was involved in malfeasance itself. Obama has always been that way and his administration always followed suit. The fact is that people are _still_ screaming about an Obama administration bias despite the FBI sitting on all of the information about their ongoing investigations. Imagine a world where the FBI does release this factual information, exactly the same way it handled the Hillary investigations. Despite it being all factual, Trump does lose the election and half the country screams about how Hillary is an illegitimate president instilled by Obama administration that helped ensure she was elected. Obama was often put into no-win situations during his presidency when it came to actions he could take or positions he could voice. He almost always held close to the vest in such cases because he realized this and his administration followed suit. This was just the last tragic example of how his thoughtfulness and ability to see the “big picture” bit him in the ass. He was so smart but he never learned that he was always damned if he did, damned if he didn’t. That said, I also feel that they didn’t think Trump would win. If he was gonna lose anyway, no reason to open that can of worms. But given his past history I am pretty sure he doesn’t open it in any case. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/522 "2018-02-07T21:03:55Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > The loony fringe of the Republican party is more rabid, but then so is the loony fringe of the D party. I love the smell of blatantly untrue false equivalence in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2018, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/523 "2018-02-07T21:20:05Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > I love the smell of blatantly untrue false equivalence in the morning. I challenge both of you to a crazy-off. Whoever finds the craziest public comment from an elected official wins. You have an advantage, JohnStamosEar because I’m pretty sure Follingay doesn’t know how to link stuff. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2018, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/524 "2018-02-07T21:51:38Z")
Needs specificity. “Crazy” does not mean cruel, oppressive, or poorly planned, but pure-D batshit pizza? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/525 "2018-02-08T00:35:04Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > The election of Trump is a unique event. Unless the U.S. takes some positive steps at self-improvement, it’s hardly inconceivable that the conditions that elected Trump in 2016 will do so again in 2020, or another pseudo-populist bluster-pack like him will be elected in future. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/526 "2018-02-08T01:47:16Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I challenge both of you to a crazy-off. Whoever finds the craziest public comment from an elected official wins. You have an advantage, JohnStamosEar because I’m pretty sure Follingay doesn’t know how to link stuff. I think I’ll pass on that. However, I will point out that a simple look at the stupidest Republican and stupidest liberal threads that have long been running here will show a massive uptick in the former and not much more quantity, let alone quality, in the latter. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/527 "2018-02-08T01:48:17Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Unless the U.S. takes some positive steps at self-improvement, it’s hardly inconceivable that the conditions that elected Trump in 2016 will do so again in 2020, or another pseudo-populist bluster-pack like him will be elected in future. Let’s not forget the midterms. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/528 "2018-02-08T12:26:10Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > I think I’ll pass on that. However, I will point out that a simple look at the stupidest Republican and stupidest liberal threads that have long been running here will show a massive uptick in the former and not much more quantity, let alone quality, in the latter. And those both have equal representation here. Please. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/529 "2018-02-08T13:10:57Z")
They have citations. By all means, head over to the liberal thread and put all the stuff that was obviously missed. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![proudfootz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9e5f3/32.png) [@proudfootz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/proudfootz)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/530 "2018-02-08T13:35:11Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Unless the U.S. takes some positive steps at self-improvement, it’s hardly inconceivable that the conditions that elected Trump in 2016 will do so again in 2020, or another pseudo-populist bluster-pack like him will be elected in future. I agree with this - Trump is a symptom of a sick system and unless the actual causes are corrected we will continue to have government that is unresponsive to its people. ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/531 "2018-02-08T16:53:13Z")
Republicans are getting their wall and Devin Nunes is building it. > **[House Intel Republicans plan to wall off their aides from Democratic staffers](https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/house-intel-committee-gop-plan-to-wall-themselves-off-from-democrats-devin-nunes-adam-schiff/)** > > GOP committee members plan to build literal barrier separating their aides from Democratic staffers in panel's secure spaces “In a sign of increasing partisan hostilities, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee plan to construct a wall – a physical partition – separating Republican and Democratic staff members in the committee’s secure spaces, according to multiple committee sources. It’s expected to happen this spring.” Seems completely innocent. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/532 "2018-02-08T17:04:33Z")
Walls! [WKRP in Cincinnati: The Complete Series (5/6) Les Asks Herb to Respect His Imaginary Door - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkP9DKnOgn0) ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/533 "2018-02-08T17:48:42Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > And those both have equal representation here. > > Please. I know! It’s terrible how this board is biased by being able to present literally hundreds of examples of Republican elected officials and nationally-known spokespeople saying or doing phenomenally stupid things whereas board conservatives have to struggle to find a few measly examples of Democrats doing the same. I mean, look at how many of the SDIOTD examples involve random dumb students because we can’t find more idiocy at higher levels of government! If this board weren’t so biased we’d be able to find dozens and dozens of examples of Democratic elected officials and nationally-known spokespeople saying and doing phenomenally stupid things! Why, if it weren’t for that, Congress would be filled with left-wing equivalents to Louie Gohmert! _Please._ ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/534 "2018-02-08T17:57:49Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > And those both have equal representation here. > > Please. If one side is worse than the other, what would you have us do-create fake stories about one side until the numbers artificially match, or restrict the reporting of legitimate stories on one side until the numbers artificially match? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/535 "2018-02-08T18:23:28Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If one side is worse than the other, what would you have us do-create fake stories about one side until the numbers artificially match, or restrict the reporting of legitimate stories on one side until the numbers artificially match? Well, there’s the Fox News solution - pick a poorly-behaving Republican and add a “-(D)” to his name. That should even things out pretty quickly. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/536 "2018-02-08T19:06:33Z")
“Both sides do it” is at best a conclusion, when well supported. It is not a valid premise. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/537 "2018-02-08T19:34:23Z")
So, in Great Debates I cannot call someone dumb but I can say that a post was dumb right? I can say that post from **HeweyLogan** is remarkably dumb, correct? Just want to be clear. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/538 "2018-02-08T20:12:06Z")
The very fact of remarking proves it “remarkable”, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2018, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/539 "2018-02-08T21:46:57Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > So, in Great Debates I cannot call someone dumb but I can say that a post was dumb right? > I can say that post from **HeweyLogan** is remarkably dumb, correct? Just want to be clear. If you have to ask, ATMB is the place to do it. The answer depends on context so I’d recommend against it lest the evaluation fall on the wrong side of the line. I don’t find this attempt at rule skirting amusing nor convincing. Knock it off. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2018, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/540 "2018-02-09T16:20:52Z")
I’m looking at [Isikoff’s September Yahoo article.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-s-intel-officials-probe-ties-between-trump-adviser-and-kremlin-175046002.html) Is Nunes claiming that the FBI used an article claiming that the government was interested in Page as evidence that the FISA court should be interested in Page? That makes no sense. They would have just cited the government activity as evidence. The only logical reason for inclusion of article was to make the court aware that Page knew the government was on to him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308.md?page=28)