# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/121 "2018-01-31T15:37:50Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > There isn’t even any reason to think that there might be evidence supporting either of the above possibilities. Apparently the distinguished Moderator should be reminded that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/122 "2018-01-31T15:51:21Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > Apparently the distinguished Moderator should be reminded that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Apparently you are under the assumption that you don’t need any actual evidence to impugn someone’s motives and malign someone’s character, the way the Republicans are doing to Mueller and basically the whole FBI? Or is there something else you are trying to say here? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/123 "2018-01-31T16:08:02Z")
> [@BeenJammin](#): > > Apparently the distinguished Moderator should be reminded that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Which is why we can’t rule out the allegations of Donald Trump committing incest. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/124 "2018-01-31T16:17:41Z")
Absence of evidence does not mean presence of evidence. One might have thought that obvious. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/125 "2018-01-31T16:50:03Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Which is why we can’t rule out the allegations of Donald Trump committing incest. Poor Eric. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/126 "2018-01-31T17:29:41Z")
Maybe I missed this but how does anyone know what was in the FISA application? Has it been released in the discovery process? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/127 "2018-01-31T17:50:48Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Maybe I missed this but how does anyone know what was in the FISA application? Has it been released in the discovery process? Nunes has shown the memo to authorized members of Congress, some of whom are cleared to review the underlying classified information that supports the FISA renewal application. Trump intends to declassify the information in order to release the memo – which is why Wray and Rosenstein are so upset. They are worried the declassification will reveal tactics and methods used by the FBI, compromising their operations. Trump appears unconcerned. ---
**Author:** ![BeenJammin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beenjammin/32/448_2.png) [@BeenJammin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeenJammin)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/128 "2018-01-31T17:53:32Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > NThey are worried the declassification will reveal tactics and methods used by the FBI, compromising their operations. Well after all, the timing is not good, what with the Russian elections approaching… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/129 "2018-01-31T18:09:34Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Nunes has shown the memo to authorized members of Congress, some of whom are cleared to review the underlying classified information that supports the FISA renewal application. > > Trump intends to declassify the information in order to release the memo – which is why Wray and Rosenstein are so upset. They are worried the declassification will reveal tactics and methods used by the FBI, compromising their operations. > > Trump appears unconcerned. I thought that unless Trump said no by yesterday, the memo was gonna be released. From what I read, I thought that it was automatic unless Trump objected. What gives? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/130 "2018-01-31T18:46:40Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I thought that unless Trump said no by yesterday, the memo was gonna be released. From what I read, I thought that it was automatic unless Trump objected. What gives? I understood there was five days of review by the White House, and it has been what, two days? In other news, FBI calls the memo a lie. > **[FBI chief has ‘grave concerns,’ clashes with Trump over GOP memo | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/31/politics/nunes-memo-law-enforcement/index.html)** > > FBI Director Christopher Wray publicly clashed with President Donald Trump on Wednesday over a controversial Republican intelligence memo, furthering the rift between the President and the agency investigating ties between his campaign and Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/131 "2018-01-31T18:47:36Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I thought that unless Trump said no by yesterday, the memo was gonna be released. From what I read, I thought that it was automatic unless Trump objected. What gives? Beats me. But given that he was caught last night on a hot mic saying he was “100%” going to release the memo, it’s a’comin’. [Oops](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/congressman-deport-illegal-aliens-state-union-52715027). (ABC) Apparently the FBI is still fighting the memo’s release, stating that material omissions of fact in the GOP memo fundamentally impact its accuracy and could could jeopardize classified information. You’d like to think stuff like this is important to Republicans, but the debacle speaks for itself. Creating a false narrative to protect the “president” is more important, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/132 "2018-01-31T18:57:43Z")
He still might not. He could opt out, deferring to experts about “sources and methods”. Further claiming that the memo, if it were released with all the attendant data, would utterly and completely prove his innocence, but he will nobly sacrifice that for his country. Of course, you and I can’t see it either, but we have his word that it exonerates absolutely. Otherwise…what he is he waiting for? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/133 "2018-01-31T19:02:45Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > … [Oops](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/congressman-deport-illegal-aliens-state-union-52715027). (ABC) … Given the attention Joe Kennedy’s drool got, I thought this was ironic: > [@](#): > > Their leader, Nancy Pelosi, warned Democrats to behave during Trump’s address and “let the attention be on his slobbering self.” The president didn’t slobber. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/134 "2018-01-31T19:05:04Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Given the attention Joe Kennedy’s drool got, I thought this was ironic: It was plainly lip balm, not slobber. What does this have to do with the Nunes memo? ---
**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:** [January 31, 2018, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/135 "2018-01-31T19:10:09Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > It is taken as axiomatic here that only the “white supremacist” right can be conspiracy theorists. No it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/136 "2018-01-31T19:16:01Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > It was plainly lip balm, not slobber. Ahhh, that explains the “chapstick-quiddick” joke I heard on the radio this morning. Something about drowning in lip balm. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > What does this have to do with the Nunes memo? Nothing. I read your cite and found that part ironic. It was a little aside. ---
**Author:** ![YamatoTwinkie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/cc9497/32.png) [@YamatoTwinkie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YamatoTwinkie)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/137 "2018-01-31T19:56:11Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Ahhh, that explains the “chapstick-quiddick” joke I heard on the radio this morning. Something about drowning in lip balm. Apologies for continuing the thread hijack, and at the risk of identifying myself as someone that just _doesn’t get_ conservative humor, but considering Joe Kennedy III is from the “Robert Kennedy” side of the family, and not the “Ted Kennedy” side, how is this even funny? Makes about as much sense as a Benghazi joke involving George Clinton. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/138 "2018-01-31T19:57:05Z")
The key to their humor is “Democrat = bad” It’s not really any deeper than that. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/139 "2018-01-31T23:32:39Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Beats me. But given that he was caught last night on a hot mic saying he was “100%” going to release the memo, it’s a’comin’. > … The thing to keep in mind here is that this is something that was said by Trump. It is difficult to guage the veracity of terms used by him. Things that have clear meanings to reasonable people take on a kind of shimmery obfuscation when heard in Trump’s voice. Terms like: “100%”, or “billion” or “deal” are distinct things to most people, to Trump they’re just _emphasis_ terms like “believe me” that don’t reallly mean anything. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308/140 "2018-02-01T02:01:46Z")
You guys are totally hung up on things having to mean things! Something may not _really_ mean anything, it may even mean nothing at all, but he’s _totally_ sincere! He really means it! That’s gotta count for _something_! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-someone-break-down-this-whole-nunes-memo-thing/807308.md?page=8)