One only has to read a couple of books about Fraud Trump's involvement with "Russians" to understand how compromised Fraud Trump is. If it wasn't for the hundreds of millions of dollars that Putin-directed Russian Mafia and Putin-directed Russian Oligarchs have laundered through Fraud Trump's condo projects, Fraud Trump's net worth would be a fraction of what it is.
Sorry, the rest of this is off topic.
I want everyone to be fully aware of how Fraud Criminal Scum Trump’s MAGAts are going to steal the upcoming election for Trump. In the six or seven swing states, there will, starting one month before Election Day, be voter intimidation beyond your wildest imagination. Armed MAGAts will be OUT in force and there will be no one to stop them a) from preventing voters from visiting ballot collection boxes, and b) from scaring voters away from voting sites These MAGAt thugs will be active in districts that traditionally vote Democrat. This type of massive voter intimidation, vote suppression action has happened in other countries! Contact your state and county and city law enforcement officials and ask them what they are going to do to ensure that this isn’t going to be allowed to happen in your voting district!!! Don’t wait, do it now!!!
The mail under that effing Trump pick DeJoy is seriously suspect. Even if our elections remain the fairest in the world they are doing everything they can to create distrust
Anyone using the mail service; HAVE YOUR BALLOT HAND STAMPED BY THE PO! It’s legal and can’t truly be challenged. Know your Board of Election workers and sing up to volunteer. This will probably be one of the most important services you can render your town.
Yes, my brother did. This vile orange creature and his MAGA/GOP minions have torn families apart. We are 5 siblings raised in a very blue family. One of my brothers (not the crazy one) was born in 1968 and is named after MLKJr and RFK. My parents are rolling in their graves. My mom gave up treatment for her autoimmune disease and going into hospice in late 2017, stating she didn’t want to see what tRump would do to the country. She was in her 70s and sick, but I do believe his presidency pushed her into giving up sooner rather than later. And no one, anywhere in the world, should EVER feel the need to give up because of creatures like these. 😡
Kate, I'm so sad to hear of your predicament. Unfortunately for me, I am in much of the same boat as you are. I have one brother and one sister, and BOTH OF THEM are MAGAcrazies! It was SO BAD, that I had to completely cut-off communication with them. (I haven't spoken to either of them since 2017.) We were raised by the same parents. We were raised to be compassionate, caring and loving people. We were raised to believe that all people are created equal. My parents were not die-hard liberals or die-hard conservatives. I'd characterize my parents as "middle of the road". Conservative on fiscal issues, liberal on social issues. We were also raised to vote for HONEST people. As we know, there is no greater liar than Scumbag Fraud Liar Con Grifter Trump. He is the ULTIMATE SLEAZEBAG! If my parents were still alive, I'm certain that they would be disgusted by the choice my siblings have made! All that said, I am glad that there've been no threats of harm.
I’m sorry too. It’s heartbreaking to hear these stories and to realize how devastated families are. And it’s permanent. No matter what happens, he has supported a man and reposted a lot of racist stuff. My kids are South Korean. I don’t believe he will ever have a “come to Jesus” moment and even if he does, I’m not sure I could forgive.
Remember that Melania's father was Czech secret service and is friends with Putin. Was this an arranged marriage? If so, that would belie the idea that Trump was concerned about Melania finding out about his extramarital affairs. From having family in East Germany and talking with them, and getting some sense of the long reach of the Stasi (go to work and they bug your place and put in little cameras to film what you do), I can only imagine what Putin, who runs the country as if he is still KGB has in everyone's homes with the technology available today. Any "worker" coming into the home is suspect. Also, looking at the discussion of Trump being in a Moscow hotel with prostitutes peeing. https://www.vox.com/2018/4/15/17233994/comey-interview-trump-pee-tape-russia
It seems to me that Russia does regularly get this kind of compromising material on people. Given who Trump is, would there be video footage of him being compromised? I assume so. Anyone who goes to Russia does this at their own risk. Like the US soldier that went there on vacation and is now arrested on what could be bogus charges. Why would US military ever go to Russia? What will it take to get him released? Will he have to agree to spy for Russia? There is nothing I would not put past Putin and the people from Russia who serve his cause. I have been aware that Trump will either steal the election, or try to get his militia minions to start a war. Let us hope that in the latter case, they won't successfully do it, and that he does not get to steal the election. However, I think Biden should move our nuclear weapons to other countries just in case.
If this helps— story recently about the proGaza protest in LA viciously attacked by rightwing thugs. So the protesters called the police, who took several hours to respond, then stood and watched them getting beaten up. What was the question about the voting places again?
Regardless of how many Republican politicians are on the Russian payroll, the forgotten and banished Mueller report established a firm relationship between Russia and the Trump criminal gang. It's amazing how all that work has been lost to history already. Most of the criminals involved in that report are still walking free. It's maddening.
European Union Countries Total Population: 448 million. 2024 est GDP: $19.3 Trillion
US Total Population: 335 million. 2024 est GDP: $28.7 Trillion
US and EU (Allies) Combined: Population: 783 million. 2024 est GDP: $48 Trillion
Russia Total Population: 147 million. 2024 est GDP: $1.8 Trillion
The US and EU combined have 5 times the population of Russia. And 26 times the economic production power. (Our national Press gives the impression that Putin is a big tough guy and Russia is to be feared.)
If we allow a pipsqueak country like Putin's Russia to infiltrate and corrupt the US and EU governments, for his conniving benefit, it's our own damn fault!
Everyone cites the fact that Russia has nukes. Plus, of course (of COURSE) Russia has oil and uranium. Did you know that the US had only JUST taken up ending the uranium trade with Russia? And not right away - but by 2029? Yeah. So...
As far as the nukes are concerned - considering the state of their army and considering the bedraggled little Ukraine has been able to hold them off quite staunchly for this long, there is some question as to whether those nukes even work. Or still have all the necessary parts. Or the uranium. Plus, this is no 1945 - we have satellites all over the place. The moment a Russian nuclear warhead pokes a nose ANYWHERE, aimed at ANYTHING, it will be known. So, I don't understand why that is still even an item.
As for the oil and uranium, as well as other resources, my call to the global community is - do better. Figure it out! I mean look at the US-freaking-State Department telling Ukraine - officially, on record - to stop targeting Russia's oil refineries (which are valid military objects) because we are SOOOOO afraid of gas prices going up. Can you imagine Churchill telling the US to stop targeting Hitler's oil sources during WWII? This is exactly what's happening. So, until everyone starts treating this EXACTLY like what was happening during WWII, this is not going to change.
Tim Burchett is my US House District Representative, and although I am his constituent, he certainly doesn’t represent me. He’s brought more negative attention to Tennessee than it needs given that its GOP supermajority is infamous for its antics. We’re working hard in our non-voting state to make a change in our Federal representatives and Senator so thanks for the plug, Jay! Vote Blue in August and November, Tennessee!
It’s astonishing that the Soviet Union basically took over an entire political party of the United States and won the Cold War so definitively and spectacularly that Americans are still walking around telling each other we were actually the winners.
Because we’ve been raised (across the political spectrum) to believe we are the greatest country ever. Makes us very blind. I have to admit that I didn’t see this until I left the States. (Married a Swede — left for love!) My Swedish friends and friends from elsewhere in Europe all love their countries and think they are great. But none of them have this desperate need to believe their homeland is the greatest ever. As a country we are quite narcissistic.
As a boomer, who has seen a lot over the years, its been many years since I bought into the myth that this country, the U.S., is the greatest country ever. Kind of envious of your life in a country seems to not have so much baggage. Congrats on following your heart!!
We are seeing some tendencies to the right in Europe.. I am in Sweden. I’m hoping we won’t go too far. But we have issues with immigration that have pushed some to the right. And it’s almost impossible to have a discussion about it. We have opened our doors to many refugees. Unfortunately, we’ve not increased staffing and the budget for immediate. People wait forever. A friend took in a 15-16 old who managed to get here from Afghanistan in 2015. His approval for asylum came through — in late 2022. That’s insane. He’s a sweet young man who had to spend 7 years wondering if he could stay. So we have those to the right who want no one to come. And then we have many refugees who come and live with uncertainty. It has led to some gangs and the stuff that goes along with that. And I get it. Living in uncertainty and fear has to be horrible. We don’t have a tRump yet. But several countries have swung hard right recently. Italy and Netherlands. France kept their right-winger out. Hungary is long gone. Poland, however, gives me hope after taking a sharp turn to the left to correct itself. I realize I’ve become a very angry person in the last 8 years. And I know why. This has devastated my family. I have a sibling who has gone hardcore MAGA. So bad that I had to report his death threats towards me (I dared to describe January 6 as an insurrection). I had to block him every where I could. But in typical dumbass MAGA style he mailed me threats via snail mail. 💔🤦♀️ I don’t want to be angry, scared Kate anymore.
Good point. But while the countries comprising the Soviet Union may have gained varying degrees of independence, the central KGB composition of Cold War-era Soviet intelligence would appear to be alive and well. And thriving! Because you have to admit, they are currently manipulating the GOP (and thereby any committees they chair or chambers they control) from within like so many hand puppets in the most hyper-partisan era in American politics since the Civil War.
No one to blame but ourselves.over the past 50 years we’ve damn near castrated the CIA ,and the other intelligence agencies .The perception of extortion and blackmail against any American by a foreign intelligence operation in the past would be an international crisis,now it’s routinely brushed aside or dismissed as fake news ! The crazy ass shit going on with Trump and the GOP has to have a rational explanation,and RUSSIAN involvement is without a doubt the most obvious answer for the insanity of the GOP and Trump’s fascist agenda! One would have to be a friggen fool not to see the obvious connections to Putin !
The problem is - despite all their transgressions, despite the shameless spewing of Russian propaganda, there are no ramifications for these people - not until the elections. And even then there might not be anything. What is their incentive to change their behavior (or their alliances) if there are no consequences?
Thank you for compiling the ins and outs so well. Does anyone remember M. Greene's big polar bear jacket she wore to Bidens state of the union a couple of years ago? I felt certain it was a nod to the Russian influence she supports and was hoping to send a clear message. It's far fetched but if you recall her outfit stood out. We must continue to stand against this invasion. It's funny years ago I heard someone going on and on about the invasion from Mexico but really the true concern is Russia. All the rest of the junk is a bait and switch.
The thing that always struck me about the Russia propaganda campaign in 2016 was how much was not so much to "influence" people into pro-Russian ideas but simply aimed at sowing discord. For example, setting up fake websites (or social media profiles) that would go onto liberal sites and spread lies and innuendos about what Joe Republican was doing--and vice versa. That sort of thing was a major factor in the separation of this country into warring tribes--and I suspect it is still going on.
Russia has taken Lincoln's "A house divided against itself, cannot stand" to heart and done all it can to keep the division growing deeper and deeper.
Exactly. Putin has been sowing discord in the U.S. in hopes of igniting the current Cold Civil War into active violent street demonstrations, official (as in the Texas Army on the border) and unofficial (GQP backed white supremacists blocking voting locations) armed militias, congressional and judicial disfunction, and Red state governments openly ignoring federal laws and court rulings; all for the purpose of weakening this country on the world stage to Russia’s advantage. It’s a fair assumption that just like our government has Russian experts in the State Department, the Pentagon, and think tanks, that Russia has its own American experts well versed in pre-Civil War history, political anti-war and civil rights unrest in the sixties, racism, and class and economic warfare tactics cloaked as American oligarch inequality capitalism. And our system of government and open media makes the spread of disinformation, propaganda, and taking advantage of widening partisanship a whole lot easier.
As for Jay’s other points on the ease of Russian propaganda spreading through the GQP ranks, compromised individuals (financial and private life), money laundering, and funneled money bribes, I suspect there isn’t a shortage of useful idiots.
There's Russia, and Elon Musk's recent meeting with fellow fascist billionaires to discuss one goal: Biden losing the election.
GOP throwing lawsuits everywhere to keep people voting. Will any succeed? Or end up at SCOTUS? I look forward to Jay's analysis of that someday.
Endless amounts money, AI, a massive social media advantage (bigger than the Dems), and a depleted and cowed mainstream media. This absolutely will be the most consequential election in our lifetime
One only has to read a couple of books about Fraud Trump's involvement with "Russians" to understand how compromised Fraud Trump is. If it wasn't for the hundreds of millions of dollars that Putin-directed Russian Mafia and Putin-directed Russian Oligarchs have laundered through Fraud Trump's condo projects, Fraud Trump's net worth would be a fraction of what it is.
Sorry, the rest of this is off topic.
I want everyone to be fully aware of how Fraud Criminal Scum Trump’s MAGAts are going to steal the upcoming election for Trump. In the six or seven swing states, there will, starting one month before Election Day, be voter intimidation beyond your wildest imagination. Armed MAGAts will be OUT in force and there will be no one to stop them a) from preventing voters from visiting ballot collection boxes, and b) from scaring voters away from voting sites These MAGAt thugs will be active in districts that traditionally vote Democrat. This type of massive voter intimidation, vote suppression action has happened in other countries! Contact your state and county and city law enforcement officials and ask them what they are going to do to ensure that this isn’t going to be allowed to happen in your voting district!!! Don’t wait, do it now!!!
The Republicans in Nevada are suing to block laws that protect election officials and poll workers. Read that again...
Of course they are. The Red States have been making it illegal to help people in almost any humane way.
Sadly true😕
NV is a purple state, not red yet. We helped elect Biden last time and are fighting hard to keep him in office.
WOW.
🤯🤬
In Oregon we've had vote by mail for about 20 years so I'm grateful for that. It can't really happen here, except maybe at the Ballot drop boxes.
The mail under that effing Trump pick DeJoy is seriously suspect. Even if our elections remain the fairest in the world they are doing everything they can to create distrust
Why isn’t dejoy gone?
The Board hasn’t fired him yet. That I don’t understand. I thought they now had a Dem majority on the Postal Board.
Anyone using the mail service; HAVE YOUR BALLOT HAND STAMPED BY THE PO! It’s legal and can’t truly be challenged. Know your Board of Election workers and sing up to volunteer. This will probably be one of the most important services you can render your town.
And Oregon isn't a swing state. . .
Yes, my brother did. This vile orange creature and his MAGA/GOP minions have torn families apart. We are 5 siblings raised in a very blue family. One of my brothers (not the crazy one) was born in 1968 and is named after MLKJr and RFK. My parents are rolling in their graves. My mom gave up treatment for her autoimmune disease and going into hospice in late 2017, stating she didn’t want to see what tRump would do to the country. She was in her 70s and sick, but I do believe his presidency pushed her into giving up sooner rather than later. And no one, anywhere in the world, should EVER feel the need to give up because of creatures like these. 😡
Kate, I'm so sad to hear of your predicament. Unfortunately for me, I am in much of the same boat as you are. I have one brother and one sister, and BOTH OF THEM are MAGAcrazies! It was SO BAD, that I had to completely cut-off communication with them. (I haven't spoken to either of them since 2017.) We were raised by the same parents. We were raised to be compassionate, caring and loving people. We were raised to believe that all people are created equal. My parents were not die-hard liberals or die-hard conservatives. I'd characterize my parents as "middle of the road". Conservative on fiscal issues, liberal on social issues. We were also raised to vote for HONEST people. As we know, there is no greater liar than Scumbag Fraud Liar Con Grifter Trump. He is the ULTIMATE SLEAZEBAG! If my parents were still alive, I'm certain that they would be disgusted by the choice my siblings have made! All that said, I am glad that there've been no threats of harm.
I’m sorry too. It’s heartbreaking to hear these stories and to realize how devastated families are. And it’s permanent. No matter what happens, he has supported a man and reposted a lot of racist stuff. My kids are South Korean. I don’t believe he will ever have a “come to Jesus” moment and even if he does, I’m not sure I could forgive.
Remember that Melania's father was Czech secret service and is friends with Putin. Was this an arranged marriage? If so, that would belie the idea that Trump was concerned about Melania finding out about his extramarital affairs. From having family in East Germany and talking with them, and getting some sense of the long reach of the Stasi (go to work and they bug your place and put in little cameras to film what you do), I can only imagine what Putin, who runs the country as if he is still KGB has in everyone's homes with the technology available today. Any "worker" coming into the home is suspect. Also, looking at the discussion of Trump being in a Moscow hotel with prostitutes peeing. https://www.vox.com/2018/4/15/17233994/comey-interview-trump-pee-tape-russia
It seems to me that Russia does regularly get this kind of compromising material on people. Given who Trump is, would there be video footage of him being compromised? I assume so. Anyone who goes to Russia does this at their own risk. Like the US soldier that went there on vacation and is now arrested on what could be bogus charges. Why would US military ever go to Russia? What will it take to get him released? Will he have to agree to spy for Russia? There is nothing I would not put past Putin and the people from Russia who serve his cause. I have been aware that Trump will either steal the election, or try to get his militia minions to start a war. Let us hope that in the latter case, they won't successfully do it, and that he does not get to steal the election. However, I think Biden should move our nuclear weapons to other countries just in case.
If this helps— story recently about the proGaza protest in LA viciously attacked by rightwing thugs. So the protesters called the police, who took several hours to respond, then stood and watched them getting beaten up. What was the question about the voting places again?
Regardless of how many Republican politicians are on the Russian payroll, the forgotten and banished Mueller report established a firm relationship between Russia and the Trump criminal gang. It's amazing how all that work has been lost to history already. Most of the criminals involved in that report are still walking free. It's maddening.
Yes. And yes again. Thank you.
Garland & the DOJ completely ignored the Mueller Report, letting expire actionable offenses by Trump.
AG Barr squelched that report and created his summarized version ! Remember?
European Union Countries Total Population: 448 million. 2024 est GDP: $19.3 Trillion
US Total Population: 335 million. 2024 est GDP: $28.7 Trillion
US and EU (Allies) Combined: Population: 783 million. 2024 est GDP: $48 Trillion
Russia Total Population: 147 million. 2024 est GDP: $1.8 Trillion
The US and EU combined have 5 times the population of Russia. And 26 times the economic production power. (Our national Press gives the impression that Putin is a big tough guy and Russia is to be feared.)
If we allow a pipsqueak country like Putin's Russia to infiltrate and corrupt the US and EU governments, for his conniving benefit, it's our own damn fault!
Everyone cites the fact that Russia has nukes. Plus, of course (of COURSE) Russia has oil and uranium. Did you know that the US had only JUST taken up ending the uranium trade with Russia? And not right away - but by 2029? Yeah. So...
As far as the nukes are concerned - considering the state of their army and considering the bedraggled little Ukraine has been able to hold them off quite staunchly for this long, there is some question as to whether those nukes even work. Or still have all the necessary parts. Or the uranium. Plus, this is no 1945 - we have satellites all over the place. The moment a Russian nuclear warhead pokes a nose ANYWHERE, aimed at ANYTHING, it will be known. So, I don't understand why that is still even an item.
As for the oil and uranium, as well as other resources, my call to the global community is - do better. Figure it out! I mean look at the US-freaking-State Department telling Ukraine - officially, on record - to stop targeting Russia's oil refineries (which are valid military objects) because we are SOOOOO afraid of gas prices going up. Can you imagine Churchill telling the US to stop targeting Hitler's oil sources during WWII? This is exactly what's happening. So, until everyone starts treating this EXACTLY like what was happening during WWII, this is not going to change.
Tim Burchett is my US House District Representative, and although I am his constituent, he certainly doesn’t represent me. He’s brought more negative attention to Tennessee than it needs given that its GOP supermajority is infamous for its antics. We’re working hard in our non-voting state to make a change in our Federal representatives and Senator so thanks for the plug, Jay! Vote Blue in August and November, Tennessee!
What do you think Gloria Johnson's chances of beating Marsha Blackburn are?
GOP now stands for "Groupies of Putin.". Beyond sad.
This is a stellar post, Jay. Thank you for your careful work!
Use these five infographics to follow the money and 'favors' that Putin has used to infiltrate the Republican party:
Putin Republicans: Follow The Rubles
https://thedemlabs.org/2022/03/27/putin-republicans-follow-the-rubles-to-help-russia-and-punish-ukraine/
From Russia With Love: Money, Sexpionage And Favors For MAGA Republicans
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/02/15/maga-republicans-johnson-trump-block-aid-for-ukraine/
Connect the Dots: Russian Money, Trump Media, and MAGA blocking Ukraine Aid
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/04/07/russian-investment-trump-media-maga-gop-block-ukraine-aid/
Putin’s puppets block Ukraine aid: Follow the money
https://thedemlabs.org/2024/04/11/putins-puppets-block-ukraine-aid-follow-the-money/
Follow the Russian money behind MAGA Mike Johnson
https://thedemlabs.org/2023/10/28/mike-johnson-russian-money-connections/
It’s astonishing that the Soviet Union basically took over an entire political party of the United States and won the Cold War so definitively and spectacularly that Americans are still walking around telling each other we were actually the winners.
Because we’ve been raised (across the political spectrum) to believe we are the greatest country ever. Makes us very blind. I have to admit that I didn’t see this until I left the States. (Married a Swede — left for love!) My Swedish friends and friends from elsewhere in Europe all love their countries and think they are great. But none of them have this desperate need to believe their homeland is the greatest ever. As a country we are quite narcissistic.
As a boomer, who has seen a lot over the years, its been many years since I bought into the myth that this country, the U.S., is the greatest country ever. Kind of envious of your life in a country seems to not have so much baggage. Congrats on following your heart!!
We are seeing some tendencies to the right in Europe.. I am in Sweden. I’m hoping we won’t go too far. But we have issues with immigration that have pushed some to the right. And it’s almost impossible to have a discussion about it. We have opened our doors to many refugees. Unfortunately, we’ve not increased staffing and the budget for immediate. People wait forever. A friend took in a 15-16 old who managed to get here from Afghanistan in 2015. His approval for asylum came through — in late 2022. That’s insane. He’s a sweet young man who had to spend 7 years wondering if he could stay. So we have those to the right who want no one to come. And then we have many refugees who come and live with uncertainty. It has led to some gangs and the stuff that goes along with that. And I get it. Living in uncertainty and fear has to be horrible. We don’t have a tRump yet. But several countries have swung hard right recently. Italy and Netherlands. France kept their right-winger out. Hungary is long gone. Poland, however, gives me hope after taking a sharp turn to the left to correct itself. I realize I’ve become a very angry person in the last 8 years. And I know why. This has devastated my family. I have a sibling who has gone hardcore MAGA. So bad that I had to report his death threats towards me (I dared to describe January 6 as an insurrection). I had to block him every where I could. But in typical dumbass MAGA style he mailed me threats via snail mail. 💔🤦♀️ I don’t want to be angry, scared Kate anymore.
Your brother threatened to murder you?
What is your brother's name and address?
If they won, why did they break up the Soviet Union?
Good point. But while the countries comprising the Soviet Union may have gained varying degrees of independence, the central KGB composition of Cold War-era Soviet intelligence would appear to be alive and well. And thriving! Because you have to admit, they are currently manipulating the GOP (and thereby any committees they chair or chambers they control) from within like so many hand puppets in the most hyper-partisan era in American politics since the Civil War.
No one to blame but ourselves.over the past 50 years we’ve damn near castrated the CIA ,and the other intelligence agencies .The perception of extortion and blackmail against any American by a foreign intelligence operation in the past would be an international crisis,now it’s routinely brushed aside or dismissed as fake news ! The crazy ass shit going on with Trump and the GOP has to have a rational explanation,and RUSSIAN involvement is without a doubt the most obvious answer for the insanity of the GOP and Trump’s fascist agenda! One would have to be a friggen fool not to see the obvious connections to Putin !
Maria Butina, Russian spy, absolutely has kompromat on some Republicans.
She does seem to be everywhere
I know, right!?
45 has been a Russian 'laundromat' for hire via his real estate holdings since the last days of Roy Cohn, who engineered the entree of the Russian mob into NYC/NJ, not coincidentally, at the same time 45 made his first forays into failed casino ownership in Atlantic City c1980. https://newrepublic.com/article/143586/trumps-russian-laundromat-trump-tower-luxury-high-rises-dirty-money-international-crime-syndicate and, from xWarsaw Pact countries (they *really* 'get' the Russians, for obvious reasons) https://www.occrp.org/en/laundromat/the-russian-laundromat-exposed/. I investigated Russian attempts to use Toronto real estate to launder serious money via corrupt Canadian bankers c1995 for CBCTV's '60 Minutes': the pattern preceded 45. He simply made it his growth industry, never expecting to win in 2016, in lockstep with his hotelier delusions. But there's another leg, the fragility of the US's electoral college system, which Russian intelligence clearly understands. Not advocating for direct Russian involvement here but the 2004 Ohio voting machines affair cannot have escaped inventive Russian thinking as a subversion usecase: https://truthout.org/articles/timeline-2004-one-more-look-at-the-ohio-election/ Karl Rove's shock Obama won Ohio (despite the 'fix being in') on Fox air still stands as a remarkable window into the dark side of US elections (https://www.freepress.org/article/why-rove-failed-deliver-ohio-election-day-what-happened-ohio-%E2%80%93-time-around) onward.
The problem is - despite all their transgressions, despite the shameless spewing of Russian propaganda, there are no ramifications for these people - not until the elections. And even then there might not be anything. What is their incentive to change their behavior (or their alliances) if there are no consequences?
Thank you for compiling the ins and outs so well. Does anyone remember M. Greene's big polar bear jacket she wore to Bidens state of the union a couple of years ago? I felt certain it was a nod to the Russian influence she supports and was hoping to send a clear message. It's far fetched but if you recall her outfit stood out. We must continue to stand against this invasion. It's funny years ago I heard someone going on and on about the invasion from Mexico but really the true concern is Russia. All the rest of the junk is a bait and switch.
The thing that always struck me about the Russia propaganda campaign in 2016 was how much was not so much to "influence" people into pro-Russian ideas but simply aimed at sowing discord. For example, setting up fake websites (or social media profiles) that would go onto liberal sites and spread lies and innuendos about what Joe Republican was doing--and vice versa. That sort of thing was a major factor in the separation of this country into warring tribes--and I suspect it is still going on.
Russia has taken Lincoln's "A house divided against itself, cannot stand" to heart and done all it can to keep the division growing deeper and deeper.
Exactly. Putin has been sowing discord in the U.S. in hopes of igniting the current Cold Civil War into active violent street demonstrations, official (as in the Texas Army on the border) and unofficial (GQP backed white supremacists blocking voting locations) armed militias, congressional and judicial disfunction, and Red state governments openly ignoring federal laws and court rulings; all for the purpose of weakening this country on the world stage to Russia’s advantage. It’s a fair assumption that just like our government has Russian experts in the State Department, the Pentagon, and think tanks, that Russia has its own American experts well versed in pre-Civil War history, political anti-war and civil rights unrest in the sixties, racism, and class and economic warfare tactics cloaked as American oligarch inequality capitalism. And our system of government and open media makes the spread of disinformation, propaganda, and taking advantage of widening partisanship a whole lot easier.
As for Jay’s other points on the ease of Russian propaganda spreading through the GQP ranks, compromised individuals (financial and private life), money laundering, and funneled money bribes, I suspect there isn’t a shortage of useful idiots.
Everyone should be very concerned!
There's Russia, and Elon Musk's recent meeting with fellow fascist billionaires to discuss one goal: Biden losing the election.
GOP throwing lawsuits everywhere to keep people voting. Will any succeed? Or end up at SCOTUS? I look forward to Jay's analysis of that someday.
Endless amounts money, AI, a massive social media advantage (bigger than the Dems), and a depleted and cowed mainstream media. This absolutely will be the most consequential election in our lifetime