Trumpublicons: Foreign Influence/Grifting in '16 US Election

[Elvis]

There's also the simple fact that it's in Russia's interest that Trump is president, and that alone should be enough to warrant a very close look at their activities. If the US thinks it's in their interest that a particular politician somewhere gains power they will try to make it so, dirty tricks included, that's usually the default position on this board. Why should it be any different for Russia?

I forgot to make it clear that I fully accept that the Kremlin does at least try to hack U.S. election computers; I just don't think the Kremlin stole the Podesta e-mails and gave them to Wikileaks, and that has been the main "hack" attributed to the Russians.

There needs to be a Seth Rich thread—or is there one?

[Morty]

Nordic doesn't like Politico links

and I'm sure he will post a tirade to you about it

I wasn't posting it approvingly. Just helping with the cataloguing of events.

[seemslikeadream]

Just helping with the cataloguing of events.

oh that's kinda what I like to do but what is good for the gander is not good for the goose

Former Acting CIA Director Calls Russian Interference In Election ‘The Political Equivalent Of 9/11’
“A foreign government messing around in our elections is, I think, an existential threat to our way of life,” he said.
12/12/2016 11:31 am ET | Updated 5 minutes ago
Amanda Terkel
Senior Political Reporter, The Huffington Post

JULIA SCHMALZ/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES
Former acting CIA director Mike Morrell underscored the seriousness of the reports that Russia interfered in the U.S. election.
WASHINGTON ― The former acting director of the CIA said Sunday that Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections constituted a significant attack on the United States, calling it “the political equivalent of 9/11.”

“It is an attack on our very democracy. It’s an attack on who we are as a people,” Mike Morell told The Cipher Brief. “A foreign government messing around in our elections is, I think, an existential threat to our way of life. To me, and this is to me not an overstatement, this is the political equivalent of 9/11. It is huge and the fact that it hasn’t gotten more attention from the Obama Administration, Congress, and the mainstream media, is just shocking to me.”

The CIA concluded in a secret assessment that Russia interfered in the U.S. election not merely to mess around with the democratic system, but specifically to help Donald Trump win the presidency, according to a recent report in The Washington Post.

“It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russia’s goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected,” said a senior U.S. official familiar with the findings. “That’s the consensus view.”

During the election, emails from the Democratic National Committee and the private account of John Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, were hacked and released on WikiLeaks. The DNC emails, in particular, caused turmoil within the party. Exchanges in those emails led supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) to accuse party officials of tipping the scales for Clinton during the Democratic primary.

Intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian hackers also broke into the Republican National Committee’s computer systems but did not release that information publicly.

On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he supports an investigation into the hacking, adding that it “defies belief that somehow Republicans in the Senate are reluctant to either review Russian tactics or ignore them.”


McConnell said that he has the “highest confidence in the intelligence community,” saying the CIA is filled with “selfless patriots, many of whom anonymously risk their lives for the American people.”

McConnell’s comments stand in stark contrast to those of Trump, who told “Fox News Sunday” that reports of Russian meddling in the elections were “ridiculous” and an “excuse” to undermine his victory.

“No, I don’t believe that at all,” he said.

“Nobody really knows, and hacking is very interesting,” Trump added. “Once they hack if you don’t catch them in the act you’re not going to catch them. They have no idea if it’s Russia or China or somebody. It could be somebody sitting in a bed someplace. I mean, they have no idea.”

Trump has also rejected daily intelligence briefings, preferring to receive them just once a week. He said he doesn’t need them all the time because he’s “like, a smart person.”

Jason Kander, Missouri’s Democratic secretary of state and a former Army captain in Afghanistan, called Trump’s comments incredibly insulting.


A growing number of senators in both parties are calling for congressional hearings into Russian election interference. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) released a joint statement on Sunday urging people not to make it “a partisan issue.”

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) agreed with their assessment in a tweet Sunday.

Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) also said they wanted an investigation into the matter.

Morell, who served as acting CIA director during President Barack Obama’s administration, said a bipartisan commission would be beneficial because it would “look into exactly what the Russians did and what we can do here at home to make sure that no foreign government can ever do this again to us.”

“The commission shouldn’t look into what is an unknowable thing ― which is: did they affect the outcome or not ― we’ll never know that. We’ll never know what the Russians did, whether it affected a single vote or not,” he said. “But what we can do is figure out exactly what they did and make changes here at home as to how information is handled, how we protect information, and make sure they never do this again.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/mik ... 9c3dfd73cc

[DrEvil]

There's also the simple fact that it's in Russia's interest that Trump is president, and that alone should be enough to warrant a very close look at their activities. If the US thinks it's in their interest that a particular politician somewhere gains power they will try to make it so, dirty tricks included, that's usually the default position on this board. Why should it be any different for Russia?

I forgot to make it clear that I fully accept that the Kremlin does at least try to hack U.S. election computers; I just don't think the Kremlin stole the Podesta e-mails and gave them to Wikileaks, and that has been the main "hack" attributed to the Russians.

There needs to be a Seth Rich thread—or is there one?

I was thinking mainly of the DNC hack, haven't looked too closely at the Podesta dump yet, so I don't really have a clue about that one. Not sure about a Seth Rich thread but I know it's been discussed on here.
Here's a google search, five pages worth of hits from rigint:
https://www.google.no/search?q=site%3Ah ... 2&filter=0

[coffin_dodger]

from the huffpo above:

“But what we can do is figure out exactly what they did and make changes here at home as to how information is handled, how we protect information, and make sure they never do this again.”

or alternatively, we can use this 'da Russkies is messin' wit us' narrative to ensure that the data from the next election cycle is so well protected and secretive that it will be impossible to check it's veracity - and we'll just announce the winner is... as we see fit.

[Elvis]

I'd be wary of Politico, too:

Politico, it must be noted, appeared prominently in the DNC leak for working in tandem with Clinton campaign staff to ensure articles would display Hillary in the best light possible — one journalist even shared an article with Hillary’s campaign staff prior to submitting it to editors.

http://thefreethoughtproject.com/illegally-clinton-assange-assassinate/

[Iamwhomiam]

We all get our news sourced from MSM and we all do know how very long the press has be colluding with our administrations, and our intelligence agencies. Even if you get your "news" from blogs, it originated in the MSM, at least in my experience most usually does. We all have that problem.

Hell, all I asked was for Norton to explain his thinking on the matter, which he's yet to do. There are many here who are far more intelligent than me and many far better able to express themselves than I'm able to.

I'm puzzling over the rogue FBI agents. Nothing from wiki on that? Perhaps that's who hacked the sites and with their skill made it look to originate in Russia. I have no idea about the truth of the publicized accusations blaming Russia for hacking the sites. Does anyone here? At least I can say I truthfully don't know.

As far as this goes, dodger, "Don't like my posts? - ignore them."

Here's an observation, cd, anyone who posts only snide criticism while ignoring to comment on the OP and then adds this, "Don't like my posts? - ignore them." is a fucking idiot.

[coffin_dodger]

Iam:

...is a fucking idiot.

It's hardwired into you, isn't it?

[seemslikeadream]

what happened to your tantrum and promise to leave for the 3 time?

Did you chum up to somebody else for friendship and decide to stay?

[Iamwhomiam]

Nah, I like you. I can't help it if you contradict yourself through your own actions. I really don't know what other term would be appropriate.

I notice you still haven't been able to apply your wishes upon yourself.

No need to reply. take it as friendly advise from yourself.

[coffin_dodger]

I missed the cross-thread stalking and cries of 'stoopid', 'you're a fucking idiot' and 'needs to be taken down a peg or two', so I came back for more punishment.

[coffin_dodger]

Iam:

Nah, I like you

? You just called me a fucking idiot, not five minutes ago.
Are you alright, mate? Is there booze involved?

[Iamwhomiam]

It's not all about you, coffin_dodger.

[seemslikeadream]

Electors demand intelligence briefing before Electoral College vote
The request represents the latest effort by Democratic electors to look to the Electoral College as a possible bulwark against a Trump presidency.
By KYLE CHENEY and GABRIEL DEBENEDETTI 12/12/16 10:13 AM EST Updated 12/12/16 01:02 PM EST
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In its first show of public support for efforts questioning the legitimacy of Donald Trump's victory, Hillary Clinton’s campaign said it is supporting a request by members of the Electoral College for an intelligence briefing on foreign intervention in the presidential election.

“The bipartisan electors' letter raises very grave issues involving our national security,” Podesta said in a statement Monday. “Electors have a solemn responsibility under the Constitution and we support their efforts to have their questions addressed.”

“Each day that month, our campaign decried the interference of Russia in our campaign and its evident goal of hurting our campaign to aid Donald Trump,” he said. “Despite our protestations, this matter did not receive the attention it deserved by the media in the campaign. We now know that the CIA has determined Russia's interference in our elections was for the purpose of electing Donald Trump. This should distress every American.”

Podesta’s statement follows an open letter from 10 members of the Electoral College, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi’s daughter Christine and a former member of Congress, who are demanding a briefing from U.S. intelligence officials on any ongoing investigations into Donald Trump’s ties to Russia.

In a letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, the electors — nine Democrats and one Republican — argue that they require the information ahead of Dec. 19, when the Electoral College is set to meet and select the next president.

“The Electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations,” they wrote. “We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr. Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States.”

The letter is signed by electors from five states and the District of Columbia. In addition to Christine Pelosi — a California elector — it includes a signature from one former members of Congress: New Hampshire’s Carol Shea-Porter.

Shea-Porter’s three other New Hampshire colleagues — Terie Norelli, Bev Hollingsworth and Dudley Dudley — also signed the letter. D.C. Councilwoman Anita Bonds, former Rhode Island gubernatorial candidate Clay Pell and Maryland activist Courtney Watson round out the nine Democratic signatories. Colorado Democratic elector Micheal Baca, leader of an effort to turn the Electoral College against Trump, is also on the list. Texas' Chris Suprun, an emergency responder who has been a vocal critic of Trump, is the only Republican elector to sign on.

“Yes, we the Electors should have temporary security clearance to perform our constitutional duty in reviewing the facts regarding outside interference in the US election and the intelligence agencies should declassify as much data as possible while protecting sources and methods so that the American people can learn the truth about our election,” said Pelosi.

Though the letter doesn’t explicitly endorse a separate effort by electors in Colorado, Washington and California to stop Trump from winning the presidency, it represents the latest effort by Democratic electors to look to the Electoral College as a possible bulwark against a Trump presidency. The letter follows on the heels of two Democratic congressmen — David Cicilline of Rhode Island and Jim Himes of Connecticut — who suggested this weekend that the Electoral College should consider whether to block Trump’s election.

Hillary Clinton, her top advisers and former President Bill Clinton, who’s an elector from New York, have remained notably silent on the various Electoral College machinations.

The signatories of Monday's letter represent some prominent party names. Pelosi's mother is the highest-ranking House Democrat, Bonds is a member of the Washington, D.C., city council, Norelli is a former speaker of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, and Shea-Porter was recently elected to her old seat in Congress. Pell, the grandson of Democratic Sen. Claiborne Pell, ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2014. His wife, the former figure skater Michelle Kwan, was a senior staffer in Clinton's presidential campaign.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell backed calls for a probe into Russian interference in the U.S. election.
McConnell backs congressional investigation into Russian interference
By SEUNG MIN KIM and BURGESS EVERETT
The letter begins with a lengthy defense of the Electoral College’s role in the election process. The Democrats argue that it’s their duty not simply to rubber-stamp the Election Day results but to “investigate, discuss, and deliberate with our colleagues about whom to vote for.” They point to Trump’s repeated refutation of intelligence assessments suggestion Russia’s meddling in the election, as well as his suggestion during the campaign that Russia should unearth some of Hillary Clinton’s missing emails. And, they note, Trump has dismissed reports over the weekend that the U.S. intelligence community had determined Russia intervened in the election to help him win.

“Trump’s willingness to disregard conclusions made by the intelligence community and his continuing defense of Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin demand close scrutiny and deliberation from the Electoral College,” they write.

The 538 members of the Electoral College are slated to meet in their state capitals on Dec. 19 to cast the only official vote for president. Trump won the popular vote in states that include 306 electors, while Clinton won states that include 232 electors. Anti-Trump forces are working to convince at least 37 Republican electors to turn on Trump, which would block his immediate election and send the final decision to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/e ... sia-232498

Bipartisan Electors Ask James Clapper: Release Facts on Outside Interference in U.S. Election

Open Letter to Director of National Intelligence James Clapper:

We are Electors who were selected by the voters of our states to represent them in the Electoral College on December 19, 2016. We intend to discharge our duties as Electors by ensuring that we select a candidate for president who, as our Founding Fathers envisioned, would be “endowed with the requisite qualifications.” As Electors, we also believe that deliberation is at the heart of democracy itself, not an empty or formalistic task. We do not understand our sole function to be to convene in mid-December, several weeks after Election Day, and summarily cast our votes. To the contrary, the Constitution envisions the Electoral College as a deliberative body that plays a critical role in our system of government — ensuring that the American people elect a president who is constitutionally qualified and fit to serve. Accordingly, to fulfill our role as Electors, we seek an informed and unrestrained opportunity to fulfill our constitutional role leading up to December 19th — that is, the ability to investigate, discuss, and deliberate with our colleagues about whom to vote for in the Electoral College.
We further emphasize Alexander Hamilton’s assertion in Federalist Paper #68 that a core purpose of the Electoral College was to prevent a “desire in foreign powers to gain an improper ascendant in our councils.” The United States intelligence community has now concluded with “high confidence” that a foreign power, namely Russia, acted covertly to interfere in the presidential campaign with the intent of promoting Donald Trump’s candidacy. During the campaign Russia actively attempted to influence the election outcome through cyber attacks on our political institutions and a comprehensive propaganda campaign coordinated through Wikileaks and other outlets.
Allegations that Donald Trump was receiving assistance from a hostile foreign power to win the election began months before Election Day. When presented with information that the Russian government was interfering in the election through the course of the campaign, both in private briefings and public assessment, Donald Trump rejected it, refused to condemn it, and continued to accept their help. Donald Trump even made a direct plea to the Russian government to interfere further in the election in a press conference on July 27, saying, “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing.”
According to reports in the Washington Post, New York Times, and other outlets, the United States intelligence community has now concluded definitively that the Russian interference was performed to help Donald Trump get elected, yet even today Mr. Trump is refusing to accept that finding. In response to the reports, the Trump transition office instead released a statement which called into question the validity of United States intelligence findings, and declared the election over despite the Electoral College not yet casting its votes. Trump’s willingness to disregard conclusions made by the intelligence community and his continuing defense of Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin demand close scrutiny and deliberation from the Electoral College.
Separate from Mr. Trump’s own denials of Russian involvement in the election, the confirmed communication between Trump’s aides and those associated with the Russian election interference activity raise serious concerns that must be addressed before we cast our votes. Trump-confidant Roger Stone confirmed during the campaign that he was engaged in back-channel communications with Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, responsible for releasing much of the Russian-hacked Democratic communications, and indicated that he was aware of the hacked content prior to its release. Trump foreign policy advisor Carter Page reportedly visited Moscow in July of this year, just prior to the release of hacked DNC communications, during which it was believed he met with the Putin aide in charge of Russian intelligence on the U.S. election. Page returned to Moscow this week where he claimed to be meeting with Russian business and thought leaders.
In addition to Donald Trump and his aides’ conduct, revelations about their further involvement with the Russian government over the course of the campaign demand further investigation, as well as full disclosure of findings from any ongoing or closed investigative efforts:
Russian government officials revealed that they had maintained contact with the Trump campaign during the election, and stated that they were familiar with most of the individuals associated with Mr. Trump.
Media inquiries into whether the FBI was investigating Donald Trump’s July plea for Russian interference in the election resulted in a “Glomar response” neither confirming nor denying the existence of an investigation, rather than the more typical response of denying the request outright.
U.S. intelligence officials reportedly probed Trump foreign policy advisor Carter Page in regard to travel to his Moscow during the campaign.
The FBI reportedly began an inquiry into Trump associates following reports of a multi-million dollar business relationship with pro-Putin figures in Ukraine and Russia, and reports of an effort to sway American public opinion in favor of Ukraine’s pro-Putin government.
Michael Flynn, Trump campaign aide and the announced incoming National Security Advisor, traveled to Russia in December of 2015 for a gala event celebrating RT, a state-controlled propaganda network, at which he was seated next to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Electors require to know from the intelligence community whether there are ongoing investigations into ties between Donald Trump, his campaign or associates, and Russian government interference in the election, the scope of those investigations, how far those investigations may have reached, and who was involved in those investigations. We further require a briefing on all investigative findings, as these matters directly impact the core factors in our deliberations of whether Mr. Trump is fit to serve as President of the United States.
Additionally, the Electors will separately require from Donald Trump conclusive evidence that he and his staff and advisors did not accept Russian interference, or otherwise collaborate during the campaign, and conclusive disavowal and repudiation of such collaboration and interference going forward.
We hope that the information and actions described in this letter will be provided in an expeditious manner, so that we can fulfill our constitutional duty as Electors.
Signed,
Christine Pelosi (CA)
Michael Baca (CO)
Anita Bonds (DC)
Courtney Watson (MD)
Dudley Dudley (NH)
Bev Hollingworth (NH)
Terie Norelli (NH)
Carol Shea-Porter (NH)
Clay Pell (RI)
Chris Suprun (TX)
Presidential electors interested in adding their names to this letter should contact ElectoralCollege16@gmail.com.

https://medium.com/@electoralcollege16/ ... .chixr78rv

[Grizzly]

https://www.thecipherbrief.com/column/n ... table-1091

The President-elect's Dismissal of CIA's Election Findings Is Not Acceptable

FUCK M.H.