This is likely the most insufferably short-sighted political position in decades.  Faced with years of evidence showing worsening abuses by government officials using the FISA court, U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr says a clean reauthorization bill is the best option because his DOJ and FBI will not abuse it.
Note the import of AG Barr’s position.  He is not saying the system *cannot* be abused; and he is not saying that reform isn’t needed to prevent systemic abuse; only that he can give assurances under his tenure FISA data collection and exploitation will *not* be abused.   What happens when an administration changes?…. ::::crickets chirping::::

In November of 2019 buried deep in the congressional budget Continuing Resolution (CR) was a short-term extension to reauthorize the FISA “business records provision”, the “roving wiretap” provision, the “lone wolf” provision, and the more controversial bulk metadata provisions [Call Detail Records (CDR)], all parts of the Patriot Act.  As a result of the FISA CR inclusion the terminal deadline was pushed to March 15, 2020:

WASHINGTON – Attorney General William Barr told Senate Republicans on Tuesday that the Trump administration could support a clean extension of contentious surveillance laws set to expire next month. And Barr said he could make changes on his own to satisfy President Donald Trump and his allies who have railed against the use of the law to monitor his 2016 campaign, according to senators at a party briefing.

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Sooner or later Ms. Bartiromo is going to have to call Senator Graham to task for his delays, obfuscations and can-kicking.   During an interview this morning Maria Bartiromo asks Lindsey Graham about whether he is actually going to hold the hearings he has discussed for over six months.  Graham’s response isn’t exactly inspiring confidence.
One of Graham’s “problems” per se’, is the reality that many members of the Senate, including John McCain, Richard Burr, Dianne Feinstein, Harry Reid and later Mark Warner, participated in the events in/around the intelligence targeting of candidate -then President- Donald Trump.  About mid-way through this interview it appears Bartiromo recognizes Graham is professionally can-kicking once again. WATCH:

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CTH often describes the background DC motives with the phrase: “There are Trillions at Stake.”  Here we take a look at what that really means, and how DC politics is not quite based on the ideas that frame many reference points.
With people taking notice of DC politics for the first time; and with people not as familiar with the purpose of DC politics; we end up within two different references. Perhaps it is valuable to reset the larger frames of reference and provide clarity.
Most people think when they vote for a federal politician -a House or Senate representative- they are voting for a person who will go to Washington DC and write or enact legislation. This is the old-fashioned “schoolhouse rock” perspective based on decades past.  There is not a single person in congress writing legislation or laws.
In modern politics not a single member of the House of Representatives or Senator writes a law, or puts pen to paper to write out a legislative construct. This simply doesn’t happen.
Over the past several decades a system of constructing legislation has taken over Washington DC that more resembles a business operation than a legislative body. Here’s how it works right now.
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Last night it was reported that President Trump was considering Doug Collins amid a group of four names for the Director of National Intelligence.    However, Collins is currently running for a Georgia senate seat.
Appearing on Fox Business with Maria Bartiromo this morning Rep. Collins outlines he is appreciative of the consideration but not interested in the position.

The dynamic for the Georgia senate seat is another example of Mitch McConnell and the Club -vs- grassroots MAGA voters.  Georgia doesn’t have a Senate primary vote, so the November senate election will be a jungle ballot.
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Senator Mitch McConnell appears on Fox News to discuss his view on AG Bill Barr’s frustration with President Trump’s honest tweeting of opinion.
Leader McConnell agrees with AG Barr that President Trump is not being political enough with his communication.  President Trump is delivering too much honest information and direct opinion in a DC system that relies upon a purely political filter.  The absence of that political filter is creating a problem for all operational systems in Washington DC.
McConnell says the President “should listen to the Attorney General” and ignore the expectations of the American people who hired President Trump to be brutally honest as an anti-politician and disruptive influence in DC. DC-Based Brett Baier guides the conversation to stay focused on attacking President Trump for not being political enough.

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And Brett Baier is a human Cabbage Patch doll.
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At 4:00pm today the U.S. Senate returns to trial phase.  Supreme court Chief Justice John Roberts will return to the Senate, and the chamber will be voting on two articles of impeachment.  The Each senator will be called individually and will cast their vote guilty or not guilty accordingly.
UPDATE:

♦ Article One ‘Abuse of Power’:  Guilty 48 / Not Guilty 52
♦ Article Two ‘Obstruction of Congress’:  Guilty 47 / Not Guilty 53

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The House Managers and President Trump defense team have presented their case and defense of impeachment.  Closing arguments are complete.  Today the Senate will finish floor speeches under regular quorum and then re-enter impeachment trial for 4pm vote.
The regular floor speeches are pure partisan politics. Each of the remaining senators is allowed ten minutes for remarks today prior to the impeachment vote at 4:00pm.

• Wednesday: 9:30am Floor speeches resume (regular senate rules). At 4:00pm the Senate re-enters trial phase to vote on two articles of impeachment.

CSPAN Livestream Link – Alternate Livestream 1 – Alternate Livestream 2

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The House Managers and President Trump defense team have presented their case and defense of impeachment.  Closing arguments are now completed.  Tonight and tomorrow the Senate has scheduled regular quorum for debate.
This phase is pure partisan politics. Each of the 100 senators will be allowed ten minutes for remarks tonight and tomorrow prior to the impeachment vote at 4:00pm Wednesday.

• Monday: 4:00pm Senate, regular session, floor speeches begin.
• Tuesday: 11:00am full day of floor speeches.  Each Senator limited to ten minutes.
• Wednesday: 4:00pm – A final vote on the articles of impeachment.

Fox News Livestream – CSPAN Livestream Link – Alternate Livestream 1 –

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There will be 24 hours of presentation by House Impeachment Managers (over 3 days); 24 hours of presentation by Defense team (over 3 days); 16 hours of Senate questioning; 4 hours of closing arguments, equally divided; open Senate deliberations/speeches; and a final vote on the articles of impeachment.

• Monday: 11:00am closing arguments by House Managers and Defense (two hours each for a total of four hours); then the senate, regular session, floor speeches begin.
• Tuesday: 11:00am full day of floor speeches.  Each Senator limited to ten minutes.
• Wednesday: 4:00pm – A final vote on the articles of impeachment.

Fox News Livestream – CSPAN Livestream Link – Alternate Livestream 1 –

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Steve Bannon appears with Maria Bartiromo to discuss ongoing political events.  At the beginning of the interview Bannon focuses exactly on the issue that is paramount to the American population but is being avoided by politicians like Senator Lindsey Graham and institutional leaders like AG Bill Barr.
Until there is a process to bring a formal reckoning, sunlight upon the entire enterprise, there will be unending attacks by resistance operatives within the administrative state.
Steve Bannon also highlights the plan of the administrative state to diminish the successful accomplishments of President Trump and weaponize the Senate floor speeches to cast a cloud on the State of the Union speech. Indeed, Mitch McConnell has set up the schedule for maximum damage before acquittal.  Good Interview- Multiple Aspects:

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