Cont: All things Trump + Russia Part 3

[Stacko]

Transition team sought to encrypt Flynn's communications.

Days before a series of phone calls in late-2016 between Michael Flynn and Russia’s then-ambassador to the United States, members of the presidential transition team began inquiring about ways to encrypt Flynn’s conversations, discussing with the director of national intelligence’s office by email a range of technologies that would enable secure communications.

Among the recommendations apparently approved of by the General Services Administration (GSA)—the agency charged with overseeing the orderly transfer of power after a new president is elected—was the use of Signal, a popular encrypted messaging app that allows users to exchange messages that can self-destruct.


These internal conversations, made public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), add further context to internal deliberations of the Trump transition team ahead of moments that have become touchstones of the ongoing Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into Russia’s 2016 election interference. The emails also suggest that, while certain correspondence may have been recently acquired by the DOJ’s special counsel’s office, other potential sensitive conversations pertaining to Flynn’s communication with Russian officials may be forever unobtainable.

Flynn, who served as President Donald Trump’s national security advisor for less than a month and resigned after it was revealed he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and others in the White House about his conversations with the Russian ambassador, pleaded guilty this month to lying to the FBI. Flynn phoned then-Russian ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, multiple times on December 29th in an effort to undermine American sanctions against Russia imposed by the Obama administration in response to cyberattacks during the election, according to a plea agreement.

 

[WilliamSeger]

Now this Reagan insider seems to have been turned into a commie as well:

The RussiaGate Witch-Hunt---The Deep State's "Insurance Policy"

Speaking of conspiracy theories, a lot of people have noted that much of the pro-Trump rhetoric (including Trump's own) uses many of the same techniques as Russian propaganda (e.g. conspiracy theories and attacks on legitimate news sources) to create their alternate reality. As a skeptic, I think that might be a coincidence, or it might just be that they have noted how effective such techniques are on "low-information voters" (a euphemism).

 

[Childlike Empress]

Speaking of conspiracy theories, a lot of people have noted that much of the pro-Trump rhetoric (including Trump's own) uses many of the same techniques as Russian propaganda (e.g. conspiracy theories and attacks on legitimate news sources) to create their alternate reality. As a skeptic, I think that might be a coincidence, or it might just be that they have noted how effective such techniques are on "low-information voters" (a euphemism).

You wouldn't type up such a ridiculous circular reasoning scrap yard if you were a skeptic worth the label.

 

[Beelzebuddy]

I'm mostly using a professional newsfeed reader to catch up with what is going on, so there is few distraction with crappy design or adverts directed at morons. In this case, the article was carried by a subscribed site for adult geopolitical analysts called "Strategic Culture Foundation", which might have some contacts to Russia, so I figured I would post the original article on the guy's website and have a LOL with the introduction (which totally contradicts even the snippet, I hope you've noticed).

So you're getting them from a Russian propaganda site, but since squeegee was accusing you of spreading Russian propaganda, you bothered to trace it back to the original link to try and disguise its intent, and the article itself is so poor an excuse that I made you walk it back to "LOL I'm joking" just by bringing it up?

No I hadn't noticed. I don't read links you post because of stuff like the above.

 

[TheL8Elvis]

Kinda cute how much energy you put into deceiving yourself, btw. Give it time.

 

[TheL8Elvis]

Now this Reagan insider seems to have been turned into a commie as well:

The RussiaGate Witch-Hunt---The Deep State's "Insurance Policy"

Look out !!! The deep state is coming for you !! BWahahahhahhha

 

[WilliamSeger]

You wouldn't type up such a ridiculous circular reasoning scrap yard if you were a skeptic worth the label.

It was an observation, not an argument. It's also been observed that a lot of Republicans who have said worse things about Trump than Strzok are now shamelessly kissing Trump's butt. Since I'm a skeptic, I'm not yet convinced that kompromat has anything to do with that.

 

[quadraginta]

I think the takeaway from that is that a third disapprove. I think that's a worrying testimony to how effective the disinformation campaign has been.

It's the same core group of Trump dittoheads who have always supported anything he says or does with unquestioning approval.

~34% of all voters seems to be Trump's rock bottom so far. Nothing, no amount of irrefutable evidence seems to sway them from their loyalty. They cling to it like a life preserver.

When we see that group eroding significantly for any length of time, then we will see the 'me too' Republicans starting to jump ship, but until then it is too tempting a plum for any GOP pol to turn their backs on.

 

[quadraginta]

You wouldn't type up such a ridiculous circular reasoning scrap yard if you were a skeptic worth the label.

Please pay attention, folks.

That is the right way to do an ad hominem fallacy.

 

[WilliamSeger]

When we see that group eroding significantly for any length of time, then we will see the 'me too' Republicans starting to jump ship, but until then it is too tempting a plum for any GOP pol to turn their backs on.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Republicans warn Trump of 2018 bloodbath

The backstage talks provide a window into how those closest to Trump are bracing for a possible bloodbath in the 2018 midterms, which could obliterate the Republican congressional majorities and paralyze the president’s legislative agenda. The potential for a Democratic wave has grown after Republican losses this fall in Virginia, New Jersey and Alabama, and as the president’s approval ratings have plummeted to the 30s.

In recent weeks, some of the president’s advisers have taken it upon themselves to warn him directly about the fast-deteriorating political environment. White House officials have convened to discuss ways to improve his standing with suburban voters. And on Wednesday, the president met with Kelly, political director Bill Stepien, communications director Hope Hicks, former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and Brad Parscale, Trump’s digital director in the 2016 campaign, to discuss the political landscape. Lewandowski forcefully raised concerns about the party’s efforts, according to one attendee and another person briefed on the meeting.

<snip>
Among GOP leaders, however, there is widespread concern heading into 2018. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has said privately that both chambers could be lost in November. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) has told donors that he fears a wave of swing district Republican lawmakers could retire rather than seek reelection.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Transition team sought to encrypt Flynn's communications.

Wow, a national security advisor that doesn't communicate using encrypted methods?

How dumb are these jokers?

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

Speaking of conspiracy theories, a lot of people have noted that much of the pro-Trump rhetoric (including Trump's own) uses many of the same techniques as Russian propaganda (e.g. conspiracy theories and attacks on legitimate news sources) to create their alternate reality. As a skeptic, I think that might be a coincidence, or it might just be that they have noted how effective such techniques are on "low-information voters" (a euphemism).

Trump is one of those CTers. I don't think he's masterminding a propaganda campaign. But given all that Dear Leader worship by the GOP legislators the other day, I'm guessing they know full well how to manipulate Dear Leader and his followers.

 

[varwoche]

Trump is one of those CTers. I don't think he's masterminding a propaganda campaign. But given all that Dear Leader worship by the GOP legislators the other day, I'm guessing they know full well how to manipulate Dear Leader and his followers.

Given the increased volume of Mueller/FBI/DOJ corruption accusations emanating from GOP as a whole since the Flynn indictment, I have little doubt that a propaganda campaign is indeed being "masterminded". Whether it's Trump personally or his minions doing the masterminding is but a detail.

Add: Oh, different context. I wonder to what extent the boot-lickers are playing him.

 

[Childlike Empress]

So you're getting them from a Russian propaganda site, but since squeegee was accusing you of spreading Russian propaganda, you bothered to trace it back to the original link to try and disguise its intent, and the article itself is so poor an excuse that I made you walk it back to "LOL I'm joking" just by bringing it up?

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

....
Add: Oh, different context. I wonder to what extent the boot-lickers are playing him.

Except for the whacko Evangelical, Pence, I don't wonder at all.

Then there are those probably just hanging out hoping for handouts like Nunes. He doesn't seem smart enough to be playing Trump.

 

[Skeptic Ginger]

New plan: Chaffetz suggests Trump get rid of Sessions ("not up to the job"). Now there's a trick to get around Rosenstein. Lots of rumblings about James Baker getting reassigned supposedly because he leaked the Dossier to David Corn of Mother Jones back in 2016.

WA Po: FBI’s top lawyer said to be reassigned.

Hannity's team (Hannity has the day off) is on the case.


Oh yeah, don't forget to throw in Uranium One.

 

[CapelDodger]

US provision of weapons to Ukraine could fuel conflict, Russia says
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...ns-to-ukraine-could-fuel-conflict-russia-says

Russian officials have said the US decision to supply weapons to Ukraine will fuel conflict in the east of the country.

The US state department said on Friday that it would provide Ukraine with “enhanced defensive capabilities” as it continued to fight Russia-backed separatists in a low-intensity conflict.

...

The de facto change in policy, signed off by the state department and the Pentagon earlier this year, is likely to escalate tensions between the US and Russia.

I guess that puts paid to suggestions of any quid pro quo on this subject.

 

[Squeegee Beckenheim]

Now that is interesting. Because one of the pieces of evidence that suggests collusion between the Trump transition team and Russia is that they softened the promise of aid to Ukraine from "lethal defensive weapons" to "appropriate assistance". If that is the case and they're now walking that back, I wonder what that says about the current relationship between the two?

 

[Childlike Empress]

If that is the case and they're now walking that back, I wonder what that says about the current relationship between the two?

Look over there. Providing weapons to the current Ukrainian regime is insanity. Period.

 

[Craig4]

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Republicans warn Trump of 2018 bloodbath

Virginia is the only race with any predictive value. The Democrat in New Jersey was running with an incumbent Republican who was the least popular governor in the country. We don't know what would have happened in Alabama if the Republican hadn't been a child molester. The Red to Blue seats in the Virginia House of Delegates is the only real data point that means anything and it's one state, a swing state.