"We will never know whether the Russian intervention was determinative in such a close election. Indeed, it is unknowable in a campaign in which so many small changes could have dictated a different result. More importantly, and for the purposes of our investigation, it simply does not matter. What does matter is this: the Russians successfully meddled in our democracy, and our intelligence agencies have concluded that they will do so again. Ours is not the first democracy to be attacked by the Russians in this way. Russian intelligence has been similarly interfering in the internal and political affairs of our European and other allies for decades. What is striking here is the degree to which the Russians were willing to undertake such an audacious and risky action against the most powerful nation on earth. That ought to be a warning to us, that if we thought that the Russians would not dare to so blatantly interfere in our affairs, we were wrong. And if we do not do our very best to understand how the Russians accomplished this unprecedented attack on our democracy and what we need to do to protect ourselves in the future, we will have only ourselves to blame.
"We know a lot about the Russian operation, about the way they amplified the damage their hacking and dumping of stolen documents was causing through the use of slick propaganda like RT, the Kremlin’s media arm. But there is also a lot we do not know.
"Most important, we do not yet know whether the Russians had the help of U.S. citizens, including people associated with the Trump campaign. Many of Trump’s campaign personnel, including the President himself, have ties to Russia and Russian interests. This is, of course, no crime. On the other hand, if the Trump campaign, or anybody associated with it, aided or abetted the Russians, it would not only be a serious crime, it would also represent one of the most shocking betrayals of our democracy in history."
Adam Schiff (D-CA), ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, speaking yesterday
8 Comments:
What Rep. Schiff said was a polite way of saying "treason."
Just follow the money.
At this rate, it will soon be time to say that word straight out -- politeness be damned.
Trump campaign or anyone that simply colluded in any way on the American side, is a crime ... and against America. For one, being I'm such a follower of RT, I believe that Russia/ Putin's circle did purposely meddle in the elections, from all I been seeing, and I would EXPECT that of a guy like Putin too, look at his history, and he's a hardass (RT is "state" paid media). I think this was done, because of sanctions in part, and Russia will try to push us as far as their military mobilization, such as things in Ukraine, Syria or whatever. I also feel Rex Tillerson in particular, wants a close relationship with Russia/ Putin (business reasons), and to expect more from Russia, since Trump's crew is in. But, Trump may be getting played, by Russia, as well as his own crew at that. Bottom line, Russia shouldnt be trusted as far as you could throw them (watching their news is one thing, trusting them is another). Do I think they want to nuke us? ... absolutely not, nor do I think Trump would want to nuke them, but other types of conflict I expect, if the big money doesnt get their way. It is TOO EASY (RT has a cakewalk) for Russia to spread news, and leak info too, to American's and others around the globe, they hire American's like on RT America, and tell them, you can talk about whatever you want (just as long as it's pointing out America's faults), and dont even have to pre- screen folks they interview, no political correctness, etc (not unless it trashes Russia) ... all they have to do, is grab the issues that MSM in U.S. may be less likely to touch ... simple as that. The way for America to counter that, would be American based MSM, putting out similar news, American's would also be hungry for alternative news, and pointing out the things here, that Russia is able to solely right now take advantage of. The Real News Network or Democracy Now are American for example, and do a good job ... but we have nothing in the mainstream here, that isnt heavily regulated as far as news ... so many like myself, or especially young people that are hungry for media that covers things we dont hear elsewhere, are attracted to media like RT ... if that make any sense(?) ... Later Infidel ....
Ranch: It's understandable that many don't trust our bland and timid American MSM, but there are other options. I recommend al-Jazeera, the Guardian, and the BBC. All three are highly-regarded news sources and non-US-based. None of them is a propaganda outlet for a government like RT is. Al-Jazeera has a bit of a bias where Israel is concerned, and the Guardian is definitely left-wing, but in general they're objective.
At this rate, it will soon be time to say that word straight out -- politeness be damned.
Agreed, Infidel. In fact, I'll go one further--the time is already here.
What still makes me grind my teeth in anger and frustration are those who--despite the evidence mounting each day--insist that this is all theater, that it's no big deal, and that it's just the Democrats looking for cover to avoid facing the truth that the DNC is evil because the shafted Bernie out of getting the nomination and thus handed it to Hillary, who is still more corrupt than Trump.
No, really--I'm not kidding with that last part. I wish I were, but I have seen variations on that theme pop up on some Twitter feeds, stated in both articles and videos by people like H.A. Goodman and The Young Turks. Honestly, just how stupid does one have to be to think such nonsense?
Marc: It's a peculiarity of left politics (maybe of all politics) that some people are more comfortable fighting with others on their own side over tiny differences than against the enemy over major differences. They're overrepresented on Tumblr for some reason, and maybe among the highly politically-committed in general. But I still think they are relatively few, and shrinking in number. A person would have to be superhumanly deluded (or outright Republican) to think Hillary is "more corrupt than Trump".
It seems more and more likely that Trump is going down sooner rather than later, and that he will be remembered just as a colorful but essentially irrelevant prelude to the Pence administration.
Yes, I have also used them 3, BBC, Guardian and al- Jazeera, had subscriptions, links in blog, etc, and think myself they do pretty good ... online and the tele. I was less frequent to go with al- Jazeera at times (even though I also watched them on the tele) because of being who funded them in Qatar, I mean, perhaps I shouldnt be like that, and they do claim to be independent ... I just have some personal issues I guess with some of those countries around Saudi Arabia (Arab World) and their religious culture ... I wouldnt call it islamaphobia though, I would feel the same way with any strong religious culture. I mean, Israel is pretty religious too ... but they dont push it the same, eh? But, yes, you're right ... al- Jazeera does have some good stuff though.
"Marc: It's a peculiarity of left politics (maybe of all politics) that some people are more comfortable fighting with others on their own side over tiny differences than against the enemy over major differences."
This has always been the case, and hardly on the left alone. If people have not done so, I recommend reading some of the political analysis of this phenomenon written by Lenin in the first decade of the last century; it is some of the best political writing ever.
On another subject, I remember volunteering for Adam Schiff's first campaign for Congress, when nobody knew who he was. At the time he was not even in my Congressional district, but, I am happy to say, after the last redistricting, he now is.
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