CrankyYank Vol. 53: Russia in Session | If Offerman Drowned | David Hyde Perfect [UPDATED] & More

[ this post has updates where noted below ]

I’ve been chirping about Trump’s Russia connections for a very long time, and today it kicked in to another gear: engulfing his attorney general in a swirl of scandal.

The basic news is that Sessions didn’t disclose discussions with Russian officials during testimony to congress. While under oath. And now folks are left to wonder: where did Jeff Sessions find his affinity for Russia? Was it to kiss Trump’s ass, or is there something else?

I have a broader and equally important problem, though: how has Russia ingratiated itself with the American left, too? Why are so many people of the “progressive” ilk either keeping mum or openly apologizing for Russia’s reprehensible behavior?

Many roads lead back to the Putin/Russian government propaganda channel, RT America. RT has a number of liberal hosts, including Thom Hartmann and Ed Schultz. I’ve listened to them divert their reporting from Russia to the “millionaires and billionaires” gutting our political system. Which, by the by, is totally happening—but that shouldn’t be at the expense of Russia messing with our political system.

RELATED: READ MY POST ‘изменой партия‘ (TRAITOR PARTY)

So here we are. Sessions is a symptom of the problem—not the problem itself. This is a much more complicated issue. If we could see Trump’s tax returns, for example, we’d know how connected and beholden he and his minions are to the Russian state.

All this leads back to FBI’s Comey and how he stayed 100% mum on the Russia investigation in to Trump but fell over himself to talk about Hillary Clinton at every possible turn.

Has our government been taken over by Russia?

UPDATE: no sooner did I press publish that a new twist emerged: Sessions agreed to recuse himself of cases pertaining to Russia. This is not normal; this is not enough. Why did it take investigative pieces to come out for him to recuse himself, and why did he not have his stories and explanations straight in the first place? The circumstances of his being on the Trump transition team during the time in question has always been historic fact. I have a feeling I’ll be updating this again.

 

“Steve Bannon looks like if Nick Offerman drowned.” Normally B-level award-show presenters are forgettable… unfunny even. Not these guys: John Mulaney & Nick Kroll spared no one in this searing monologue that was both sharply written and brilliantly delivered. Watch the whole thing—it’s golden.

 

Your weekly Cure Your Crankies moment comes via the fabulously talented David Hyde Pierce, long of NBC’s Frazier. This little snippet—which recounts the final taping of the long-running “Must-see TV” show—reminds us to be mindful of death and the lives who grapple with loss. It’s a surprisingly touching moment and worth a read.

 

That’s a wrap guys. We’ll see you right back here next Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m.

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Will Pollock is an Atlanta-based freelance multimedia journalist focusing on pop-culture, politics, journalism & media, retail, real estate, travel, politics, and human interest. 

He is the author of two books (Pizza for Good & Leaving Triscuit), with more on the way. Sign up for the mailing list, follow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram—and check out the book links below.

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