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PBC News & Comment: Comey’s Halo Fades in Senate Testimony

Comey’s no saint, while his testimony painted Trump as lying con man, there was no fatal blow, Comey hurt himself….--Comey is tagged by Trumpers as “leaker”, and he didn’t help by saying his release of Trump notes was intended to press for special counsel

--Trump is portrayed by Paul Ryan as “inexperienced” but PBC thinks Trump is a skilled extortionist

--in today’s tweets, Trump continues to contradict aides who defend him, leaving impression they can’t get the story straight

--hearing was held before lunch, but John McCain was already out to lunch

--as Trump lawyer threatens action against Comey, does he qualify for protection as a whistleblower?

--as the nation was absorbed by Comey show, GOP-led House passed measure to scuttle Dodd-Frank law, GOP senators meet secretly to dismantle Obamacare

--Kevin Gosztola lists other important stories that got buried this week

--stoked by Trump, squabble among Persian Gulf dictators continues, with hacking and leaking as central features

--British PM Theresa May loses big in June “snap election”, leaving her weakened as Brexit talks approach

--as Chelsea Manning gives first major TV interview, Reality Winner is arraigned, and prosecutors spill mud

--in important investigative report, Robert Parry details credible claims by MIT Prof. Ted Postol that Trump and New York Times used false evidence in Syria gas incident

--Washington Post reports that US is using chemical weapons—white phosphorous munitions—in Syria and Iraq

--your humble host spent 4 days on jury duty this week, and comments on the experience