The new normal

[cytg111]

This was perhaps, in my ears, the most chilling bit from yesterdays hearing

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/muel...ction-interference_n_5d38bd11e4b0efb57c63319f

"Former special counsel Robert Mueller was asked whether he believes the Trump campaign has set a new precedent of accepting hostile foreign election influence without reporting it to the authorities. He replied, “I hope this is not the new normal, but I fear it is.” "

Remember when Putin stated that Americas reign was almost over, due to a series of miscalculations and actions?
To be fair, in the spirit of capitalism ... why shouldnt US domestic and foreign policy be for sale?

Wonder how many seats in the Senate is "bought" ... Putins Mitch anyone?

 

[darkswordsman17]

Er, I don't think you understand what he's actually saying. "Hostile foreign election influence" is not money. That might be the motivator for Turmp and Republicans (and yes, even Democrats, potentially all politicians), but influence through lobbying is nothing new and is even often legal. I hope you know that has been going on for decades. Israel, Saudi Arabia, China, and yep even the EU have all realized this (and most see it as prudent financial methods, as they spend a bit targeting politicians and get billions in return).

Its not that the politicians are for sale (they always have been, and its effectively outright legal as long as they basically just are open about it). Its that there's essentially nothing that can be done about an actively corrupt candidate/campaign team from accepting any and all help to win. I kinda wish he might've hinted at what the possible results of that are (treason!)

Well, Bob, maybe you should be making a big fucking deal about it then instead of trying to hold to accepted norms and expecting others to fix the issue based on your findings. You need to be going to any step you can. Request being able to do a televised address of Congress. And if it gets shot down then just do it on your own in front of the Capitol building and start by saying that Congress refused to let you address them so you feel that you need to address the American People directly. You need to look into cameras and say point blank "The current sitting President has committed crimes and should be arrested and put on trial for them but I did not have the power to do so."

 

[cytg111]

Er, I don't think you understand what he's actually saying. "Hostile foreign election influence" is not money. That might be the motivator for Turmp and Republicans (and yes, even Democrats), but influence through lobbying is nothing new and is even often legal. I hope you know this has been going on for decades. Israel, Saudi Arabia, China, and yep even the EU have all realized this (and most see it as prudent financial methods, as they spend a bit targeting politicians and get billions in return).

Its not that the politicians are for sale (they always have been, and its effectively outright legal as long as they basically just are open about it). Its that there's essentially nothing that can be done about an actively corrupt candidate/campaign team from accepting and and all help to win, and there's so far been no repercussions for the actions they have taken after having won.

Well, Bob, maybe you should be making a big fucking deal about it then instead of trying to hold to accepted norms and expecting others to fix the issue that you were literally tasked with doing. You need to be going to any step you can. Request being able to do a televised address of Congress. And if it gets shot down then just do it on your own in front of Congress. You need to look into cameras and say point blank "The current sitting President has committed crimes and should be arrested and put on trial for them but I don't believe I have the power to do so."

I think in this specific case, having a foreign entity break into your opponents HQ, steal email server and hand it over to wikileaks, kind of influence. The kind of influence that would land you in jail IF it could be proven AND if the new orange wasnt that a sitting pres is untouchable. So as long as you make it to the finish line, you are good.
(and as a thank you, and because I am now compromised to the power of a billion, I let you pull my strings on a set of geopolitical agendas.)

 

[Jhhnn]

I think in this specific case, having a foreign entity break into your opponents HQ, steal email server and hand it over to wikileaks, kind of influence. The kind of influence that would land you in jail IF it could be proven AND if the new orange wasnt that a sitting pres is untouchable. So as long as you make it to the finish line, you are good.
(and as a thank you, and because I am now compromised to the power of a billion, I let you pull my strings on a set of geopolitical agendas.)

Their campaign in social media was utterly audacious, brilliant & totally devastating, so much so that the victims can't even figure out how thoroughly they've been manipulated. American conservatives proved so gullible that even Macedonian teens cashed in on the action.

 

[Moonbeam]

The most chilling thing I heard yesterday was a man who believes in duty and believes he knows what his duty is, after a long and career that brought distinction for doing what he believed that duty to be, finds himself in a world where others won't do theirs. The Democrats have everything the need but the courage to act. What the US needs is more primitive brown and blacks like in Puerto Rico.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/puerto-rico-protests-07-22-2019/index.html

 

[JEDIYoda]

The most chilling thing I heard yesterday was a man who believes in duty and believes he knows what his duty is, after a long and career that brought distinction for doing what he believed that duty to be, finds himself in a world where others won't do theirs. The Democrats have everything the need but the courage to act. What the US needs is more primitive brown and blacks like in Puerto Rico.

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/puerto-rico-protests-07-22-2019/index.html

Which reminds me of something that I p[osted about a week ago -- by - Martin Niemöller
First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

 

[cytg111]

Their campaign in social media was utterly audacious, brilliant & totally devastating, so much so that the victims can't even figure out how thoroughly they've been manipulated. American conservatives proved so gullible that even Macedonian teens cashed in on the action.

Its the whole stack. Mueller said it himself, Russia has demonstrated with what tools it was done and other nations are now copying their work.
If the new normal, and semi legal, is to accept foreign help to win elections... I mean then its already game over.