# Session lies again **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 24, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379 "2017-05-24T23:17:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/1 "2017-05-24T23:17:51Z")
[CNN reports](http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/24/politics/jeff-sessions-russian-officials-meetings/index.html) that Jeff Sessions didn’t report his contacts with the [del]Soviet[/del] Russian Ambassador in his application for security clearance. There was no wiggle room like his lies in the Senate confirmation hearing, it didn’t ask about contacts related to the Trump campaign, he was required to disclose any contacts he or his family had with foreign governments or their representatives. He’s the freakin’ Attorney General of the United States and he’s a lying bag of shit of the highest order. Ok, maybe second highest. So far. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/2 "2017-05-24T23:34:07Z")
Rant. No debate. Pit. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/3 "2017-05-24T23:43:34Z")
However, let it be dully noted that the very lack of a debate testifies to the validity of the rant. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/4 "2017-05-24T23:53:40Z")
The thread’s only a bit over a half an hour old. I’m sure that given a little time, somebody will come in and find a way to argue that everything is aboveboard and there is no war in Eurasia. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/5 "2017-05-24T23:55:45Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > However, let it be dully noted that the very lack of a debate testifies to the validity of the rant. Let it be noted that any thread on the topic less ranty would be very dully as well. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/6 "2017-05-24T23:59:31Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > However, let it be dully noted that the very lack of a debate testifies to the validity of the rant. Absence of… oh, never mind! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/7 "2017-05-25T00:21:41Z")
Sessions reminds me of that little brat who used to get pantsed regularly in grade skool. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/8 "2017-05-25T00:57:06Z")
Better vacuum your house and all jacket pockets thoroughly for marijuana residue before you criticize the little Confederate monkey. He’ll slam you in the federal pen for twenty years. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/9 "2017-05-25T01:11:30Z")
He stopped? ---
**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:** [May 25, 2017, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/10 "2017-05-25T01:25:03Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > The thread’s only a bit over a half an hour old. I’m sure that given a little time, somebody will come in and find a way to argue that everything is aboveboard and there is no war in Eurasia. Well, the question on the form asks for contacts with foreign government officials that are NOT part of authorized US Government business. A senator meeting with an ambassador in his office and talking about policy stuff is clearly not intended to be declared. Session’s meeting with the Russian ambassador at the Republican Convention is arguably a problem, however. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/11 "2017-05-25T04:41:11Z")
“…Arguably a problem”, yes. In the same sense that a neutron star might be described as “heavy”. ---
**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:** [May 25, 2017, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/12 "2017-05-25T10:19:45Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > “…Arguably a problem”, yes. In the same sense that a neutron star might be described as “heavy”. No, that is not correct. If they had talks about routine government business, I think it’s entirely possible that such a meeting should not be reported on the form. If they were talking other matters, it should have been. Again, the directions specifically say not to report authorized contacts with foreign officials on government business. Based on what I’ve read about this story, the criticism of Sessions on this matter is not justified. Seriously: do you all think that, say, American ambassadors enter every business meeting with foreign officials on this form? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/13 "2017-05-25T12:10:05Z")
Oh, so he didn’t say this: > [@](#): > > …I did not have communications with the Russians, and I’m unable to comment on that… Do I misunderstand? Or is it that this was his confirmation hearing with the Senate, therefore fibbing is OK? Under oath, isn’t it? Now, we have this: > [@](#): > > Attorney General Jeff Sessions failed to disclose meetings with Russian officials when he applied for security clearance because he was told not to do so by advisers and the F.B.I., a Justice Department spokesman said Wednesday… [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/us/politics/jeff-sessions-russia.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/us/politics/jeff-sessions-russia.html) You buy that? So, if the Justice Department advises you to break the law, you get a pass? Perhaps we will be further informed just who it was that offered this extraordinary advice? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/14 "2017-05-25T12:11:37Z")
Remember when Spicer kept referring to “the paperwork” and “the forms” when being asked about this? “If somebody fills out a form, a FS86, and lies about it, they will face the full penalty of the law here.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5ozWMb_OieY/hqdefault.jpg "Spicer on officials filling out the forms") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ozWMb_OieY) ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/15 "2017-05-25T12:13:18Z")
You know how you can tell when someone lies? [It’s when they don’t tell the truth.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/sessions-spoke-twice-with-russian-ambassador-during-trumps-presidential-campaign-justice-officials-say/2017/03/01/77205eda-feac-11e6-99b4-9e613afeb09f_story.html?utm_term=.96b44654dae5) > [@](#): > > At his Jan. 10 Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Sessions was asked by Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) what he would do if he learned of any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of the 2016 campaign. > > “I’m not aware of any of those activities,” he responded. He added: “I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians.” ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/16 "2017-05-25T12:26:06Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Sessions reminds me of that little brat who used to get pantsed regularly in grade skool. No, it’s [Granny.](https://www.google.com/search?q=sessions+granny&newwindow=1&tbm=isch&imgil=QzF0LCvyqt23MM%253A%253BZhNttl14QlQViM%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Ftwitter.com%25252Fgrannysessions&source=iu&pf=m&fir=QzF0LCvyqt23MM%253A%252CZhNttl14QlQViM%252C_&usg=__fwszKoEWf-LrNRxtUxM68MgipEc%3D&biw=1680&bih=881&ved=0ahUKEwiqm5vNhIvUAhWo6YMKHX81AvYQyjcINw&ei=vswmWarEIqjTjwT_6oiwDw#imgrc=QzF0LCvyqt23MM:&spf=1495715012719) As I understand it, lying on security forms is a felony. Who decides to prosecute? It seems to me the proper course of action is immediate resignation. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/17 "2017-05-25T13:14:48Z")
The Trump crime family apparently enforces a strict code of whatever the opposite of \*Omertà \*is. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/18 "2017-05-25T13:40:58Z")
Trumperta? ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2017, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/19 "2017-05-25T13:49:53Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > No, that is not correct. If they had talks about routine government business, I think it’s entirely possible that such a meeting should not be reported on the form. If they were talking other matters, it should have been. > > Again, the directions specifically say not to report authorized contacts with foreign officials on government business. Based on what I’ve read about this story, the criticism of Sessions on this matter is not justified. > > Seriously: do you all think that, say, American ambassadors enter every business meeting with foreign officials on this form? I can’t imagine that he was conducting Senate business at the RNC. But hey, he already got away with lying to Congress, what’s the State Department after that? ---
**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:** [May 25, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379/20 "2017-05-25T14:12:58Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Oh, so he didn’t say this: > > Do I misunderstand? Or is it that this was his confirmation hearing with the Senate, therefore fibbing is OK? Under oath, isn’t it? Fuck, you’re stupid sometimes. A government form is not a hearing, just like a banana is not a popsicle. Misleading senators is not nearly in the same ballpark as filling out a form the way the background investigators want you to fill out the form. > [@](#): > > So, if the Justice Department advises you to break the law, you get a pass? Here is part of the instructions for filling out an SF-86: > [@](#): > > Follow the instructions, provided to you by the office that gave you this form \*\*and any other clarifying instructions provided by that office to assist you with completion of this form. \*\* [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/session-lies-again/787379.md?page=2)