I went to the Garden Center on Valentine's Day. So, in honor of the Almond Trees that are flowering in California ( ! ), I hereby begin a series of photos from the Garden Center! Yeah! 🌷
13 Russians Indicted for U.S. Election Interference
“The Justice Department announced the indictment of a notorious Russian troll farm — naming more than a dozen individual suspects who allegedly worked there — as part of the special counsel’s investigation into criminal interference with the 2016 election,” the Washington Post reports.
New York Times: “The indictment charges that the foreigners falsely posed as American citizens, stole identities and otherwise engaged in fraud and deceit in an effort to influence the U.S. political process, including the 2016 presidential race.”
“Though the Russians are unlikely to be immediately arrested, they are now wanted by the United States government, which will make it hard for them to travel or do business internationally.” ------------------------- Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was clear in what the 13 Russians indicted today were up to: “They wanted to promote discord in the United States and undermine public confidence in the democracy.”
If it sounds familiar, it was also Donald Trump’s campaign strategy.
Just like the Russians, he was racially divisive. Just like the Russians, he actively tried to suppress minority voter turnout. Just like the Russians, he claimed he had to overcome massive voter fraud. Just like the Russians, he insisted the U.S. political system was rigged.
In fact, many points in indictment identify messages of co-conspirators that were nearly identical to those of Trump campaign.
One example is how the Russians made an effort to help Bernie Sanders in a way to damage Hillary Clinton and raise doubts about the legitimacy of the U.S. electoral system. Trump did the same.
Another is how the Russians encouraged voting for a third party candidate, such as Jill Stein. Promoting Stein was actually an important part of Paul Manafort’s strategy in the summer of 2016.
The indictment doesn’t allege that the Trump campaign coordinated the messaging. Nonetheless, the parallel messaging is striking.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway is that today’s indictment is a stark reminder of how little is actually known publicly about special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. There’s much more to come.
Isn't it good that little is known publicly about Muler's investigation, that he's keeping his cards very close to the vest?
I donno about you, but I didn't notice anybody helping Bernie. Fox News was just as eager to promote Clinton's inevitability as MSNBC. Everybody was dumping on Bernie and spreading pernicious lies about his supporters. If the Russians were trying to help Bernie, they were pretty bloody inept. Now, if you tell me they encouraged Clinton to alienate Sanders supporters in order to weaken her and make her an even more vulnerable candidate, easier for Trump to defeat, that I might believe.
Bernie Bros was actually a construct recommended by Tom Perez, the current head of the DNC. He was the one who urged establishment Dems to portray all Bernie supporters as young white guys. He is one major reason I will NEVER donate to the DNC as long as he is involved.
Mueller Indicts 13 Russians For Election Meddling To Help Trump Trump, WH Seize On Mueller Indictment As Proof Of 'NO COLLUSION' Ryan: Mueller Indictment Shows 'Extent Of The Subterfuge' In Russian Meddling Top Dems: Mueller's Latest Indictment Vindicates Russian Meddling Probes Top Dems: Mueller's Latest Indictment Vindicates Russian Meddling Probes
Reports: Trump's Former Legal Spokesman Met With Mueller's Team
Wait, am I understanding this correctly? Trump and the Republicans are saying these indictments help or even vindicate Trump? That can't possibly be what you said, Alan. I mean, what kind of Looking Glass world would they have to be living in for them even to entertain such a bass ackwards notion?
Yes indeed, cat, you are reading it right. Trump is claiming that since he has not been indicted yet, it proves he is innocent. That's not whistling past the graveyard, it's hallucinating past the graveyard [IMO].
It says in the Mother Jones article that the same individuals and entities that bought pro-Trump advertising etc, also sponsored anti-Trump protests after the election. What for? I'm soooooooooooo confused!
Now if only they can show that Pence received multiple campaign donations from a Delaware shell corporation represented by Alexi Romanovskayavitch of PO Box 14738, Grand Cayman, that would be frosting on the cake. A fellow can dream, can't he?
What I heard on NPR is that the 13 Russians were operating, but that no Americans were involved except unwittingly. I was really bummed, thinking that meant DT and DT's people were now off the hook. But I now see that was specific to the social media work done by the Russians. C'mon Rick Gates...spill!
Laser scanning reveals 'lost' ancient Mexican city had as many buildings as Manhattan [Click]
ReplyDeleteFriends, Romans, naked wolf-men ... why an ancient festival is still controversial
[Click]
Mormons want to save the Republican party's soul. But is it too late? [Click]
How sexual harassment is playing out in the California governor’s race [Click]
Alan
At this point, I doubt anything can save the Republican Party's soul, seeing as it was sold to the Devil long ago.
DeleteNot just sold--the buyer has taken possession.
DeleteAlan
YEEEEEEEE-HAAAA!
ReplyDelete13 Russians Indicted for U.S. Election Interference
“The Justice Department announced the indictment of a notorious Russian troll farm — naming more than a dozen individual suspects who allegedly worked there — as part of the special counsel’s investigation into criminal interference with the 2016 election,” the Washington Post reports.
New York Times: “The indictment charges that the foreigners falsely posed as American citizens, stole identities and otherwise engaged in fraud and deceit in an effort to influence the U.S. political process, including the 2016 presidential race.”
“Though the Russians are unlikely to be immediately arrested, they are now wanted by the United States government, which will make it hard for them to travel or do business internationally.”
-------------------------
Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein was clear in what the 13 Russians indicted today were up to: “They wanted to promote discord in the United States and undermine public confidence in the democracy.”
If it sounds familiar, it was also Donald Trump’s campaign strategy.
Just like the Russians, he was racially divisive. Just like the Russians, he actively tried to suppress minority voter turnout. Just like the Russians, he claimed he had to overcome massive voter fraud. Just like the Russians, he insisted the U.S. political system was rigged.
In fact, many points in indictment identify messages of co-conspirators that were nearly identical to those of Trump campaign.
One example is how the Russians made an effort to help Bernie Sanders in a way to damage Hillary Clinton and raise doubts about the legitimacy of the U.S. electoral system. Trump did the same.
Another is how the Russians encouraged voting for a third party candidate, such as Jill Stein. Promoting Stein was actually an important part of Paul Manafort’s strategy in the summer of 2016.
The indictment doesn’t allege that the Trump campaign coordinated the messaging. Nonetheless, the parallel messaging is striking.
But perhaps the biggest takeaway is that today’s indictment is a stark reminder of how little is actually known publicly about special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. There’s much more to come.
Isn't it good that little is known publicly about Muler's investigation, that he's keeping his cards very close to the vest?
DeleteI donno about you, but I didn't notice anybody helping Bernie. Fox News was just as eager to promote Clinton's inevitability as MSNBC. Everybody was dumping on Bernie and spreading pernicious lies about his supporters. If the Russians were trying to help Bernie, they were pretty bloody inept. Now, if you tell me they encouraged Clinton to alienate Sanders supporters in order to weaken her and make her an even more vulnerable candidate, easier for Trump to defeat, that I might believe.
I concur.
DeleteAlan
What about the Bernie Bros?
DeleteBernie Bros was actually a construct recommended by Tom Perez, the current head of the DNC. He was the one who urged establishment Dems to portray all Bernie supporters as young white guys. He is one major reason I will NEVER donate to the DNC as long as he is involved.
DeleteLotsa related storieshere:[Click]
ReplyDeleteMueller Indicts 13 Russians For Election Meddling To Help Trump
Trump, WH Seize On Mueller Indictment As Proof Of 'NO COLLUSION'
Ryan: Mueller Indictment Shows 'Extent Of The Subterfuge' In Russian Meddling
Top Dems: Mueller's Latest Indictment Vindicates Russian Meddling Probes
Top Dems: Mueller's Latest Indictment Vindicates Russian Meddling Probes
Reports: Trump's Former Legal Spokesman Met With Mueller's Team
WATCH: Rosenstein Announces Indictments For Russian Election Meddling[Click]
—Alan
Wait, am I understanding this correctly? Trump and the Republicans are saying these indictments help or even vindicate Trump? That can't possibly be what you said, Alan. I mean, what kind of Looking Glass world would they have to be living in for them even to entertain such a bass ackwards notion?
DeleteYes indeed, cat, you are reading it right. Trump is claiming that since he has not been indicted yet, it proves he is innocent. That's not whistling past the graveyard, it's hallucinating past the graveyard [IMO].
DeleteAlan
It says in the Mother Jones article that the same individuals and entities that bought pro-Trump advertising etc, also sponsored anti-Trump protests after the election. What for? I'm soooooooooooo confused!
DeleteSmoke.
DeleteIt also suggests they weren't pro-Trump, just anti-Clinton.
DeleteThey were trying to sow discord in the USA.
Mother Jones on the indictment.[Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
Oh baby, I've been so depressed, but today I'm enjoying a schadenfreude feast!
ReplyDeleteNow if only they can show that Pence received multiple campaign donations from a Delaware shell corporation represented by Alexi Romanovskayavitch of PO Box 14738, Grand Cayman, that would be frosting on the cake. A fellow can dream, can't he?
Delete--Alan
Hey, what’s with them russian trolls not supporting the only stalinist candidate for US President?[Click] Have they neither loyalty nor shame?
ReplyDelete—Alan
By continuing to cast doubt on Russian involvement, the president is helping the Kremlin get away with its election attack.[Click]
ReplyDeleteDid an Identity Thief In California Help Russia Hack the Election?[Click] Sure sounds like it.
—Alan
What I heard on NPR is that the 13 Russians were operating, but that no Americans were involved except unwittingly.
ReplyDeleteI was really bummed, thinking that meant DT and DT's people were now off the hook. But I now see that was specific to the social media work done by the Russians. C'mon Rick Gates...spill!
Significance of Rosenstein’s announcement[Click] I half realized this, but didn’t have time to reflect on it… yes, it ups the ante considerably.
ReplyDelete—Alan
Interesting. But then Trump, being such a brilliant businessman, has surely seen all this. :P
DeleteNow that you mention it, listener, the Bernie bros DO sound rather like Russian propaganda creations...
ReplyDeleteAlan
No, they came straight from Tom Perez as revealed in his exposed emails.
DeleteYay! A new Aardman film![Click] Early Man (click for review and trailer)
ReplyDelete—Alan