Rather writes: "Trump can publicly diss the findings of the CIA all he wants - itself a worrying development for a President-elect seemingly allergic to intelligence briefings. But the reality is that America's intelligence community has found solid evidence that Russia favored electing a President Trump. Tweeting in a post-fact world doesn't change that."
President-elect Donald J. Trump during a 'thank you' rally in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Friday. (photo: Doug Mills/NYT)
Will This Be a Trump Putin Administration or a Putin Trump Administration?
11 December 16
orget talking about the Trump Administration. The question now is whether this will be a Trump Putin Administration or a Putin Trump Administration.
Trump can publicly diss the findings of the CIA all he wants - itself a worrying development for a President-elect seemingly allergic to intelligence briefings. But the reality is that America's intelligence community has found solid evidence that Russia favored electing a President Trump. Tweeting in a post-fact world doesn't change that.
You may say, didn't we already know this? But assessment is different from conjecture. Republican officials cannot be allowed to duck this issue. Yes some, like Lindsay Graham, are sounding the right notes on the dire need to protect our democratic institutions. We need a full and complete Congressional investigation. Damn partisan politics. Let the facts lead where they may. Let�s get to the truth, or as close to the truth as is humanly possible.
I am struck to the point of extreme disappointment by the complicit silence. Ronald Reagan is rolling over in his grave. This is Russia; a newly aggressive and assertive Russia. Yes, we The People need new thinking and fresh approaches for dealing with the Russia of today. And, yes�as my friend Professor Steve Cohen of New York University (one of the savviest experts on Russia in the English-speaking world) reminds me�demonizing the Russians and Putin can be carried to counter-productive extremes. And, yes, we have and have had all kinds of mutually beneficial dealings with other dictatorial regimes all over the world (leaders of the old Soviet Union, for example; or leaders past and present in China.) But this has to be weighed against the fact that Putin is a former KGB officer and has done things indicative of a demagogic strongman. Throw in the evidence of serious tampering with the recent U.S. Presidential election and what you have is the making of a global strategic showdown over American ideals.
The craven calculus of too many Republicans at this point seems to be that pursuing a reactionary policy portfolio that now includes gutting Medicare and Social Security is more important than the fact that a foreign power has meddled in an election decided in three states by a total vote total that, as somebody I read noted, could fit into a college football stadium.
The news on this front is now compounded by Trump's choice for Secretary of State - Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson - who has close ties to Putin. This is on top of multiple other links to Russia from members of Trump's inner circle.
The Founding Fathers worried about a demagogue rising to power backed by a foreign adversary. That notion seemed to diminish to the point of a quaint anachronism over the centuries as our democracy solidified and our strength as a world power grew. No longer.
Perhaps it is too strong to suggest that to countenance what Putin and Russia did in our presidential election with a shrug or a justification forfeits the right to call yourself a patriot, no matter how many flags lapel pins you own... that may be going too far. But maybe not.
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Gee, we used to be famous for movies and fried chicken.
It's not a surprising correlation, given that many US police departments have now received Israeli training. What they do to the Palestinians will soon be done to US -- as black Americans can attest.
The other culprit? The US press, spewing disinformation to keep us dumb and compliant.
Yeah, some of the Gazans threw stones. I don't count them as weapons. If the Israelis would hand over some of their tanks, artillery, sniper rifles, and gunboats, I'm sure the Gazans would be happy to put down their stones.
And the Israelis, as we have seen, hate nonviolence. They respond to it with violence, often lethal violence.
Years ago I heard Mubarak Awad speak in Toronto. He is a Palestinian-Ame rican, and he was working in Palestine trying to teach nonviolence. The Israelis threw him out.
C'mon, Sahlburger, tell us how this was okay. Caliban, got any platitudes for us?
No, the Guardian reports that Hamas claims this.
However, since I do not support the murder of unarmed civilians, dragging me into this comment as if I do could be seen as a lying by made-up association.
If the editing weren't messed up I would remove the last sentence.
See: Antisemitism: The Questions that Require Urgent Answers | Global Research - Centre for Research on Globalization
How I Became an Anti-Israel Jew
I am pretty sure I'm part Jewish. My ancestors have always been friendly people. I love the Jews but I hate what Israel does. No one can excuse their actions. THAT is what is being discussed, no matter who does it.
The ignorant GOP wraps itself in the flag, grabs a Bible and screws us over. The Likud cloaks itself in Holocaust and thinks it justifies any abominable sin. It is shameful. And to further it by screaming 'Antisemitism' is even shameful than Hillary calling everyone a misogynist.
You sully the blood of true victims to use their suffering to cover behavior they would never condone.
Shame on you.
BDS
If you indeed see antisemitism seeping into US political life...you should call it out. The mainstream news outlets in this country repeatedly gloss over the fact that Israel has become an apartheid country. In front of the eyes (and with the support of) the United States...its primary benefactor. CM, these words are coming from a 59 y.o. jew.
Parkland 17 = Gaza 17
They even use the same weapons against Palestinians and Americans. Israelis train the police. That is why they shoot first and ask questions later. That didn't use to be the policy of US PDs.
This relationship between the US and Israel is toxic for many people around the world.
This does seem like an eerie parallel.
Parkland 17 = Gaza 17
But NOTHING justifies shooting unarmed civilians.
Is that the world you want to live in, want your kids to live in?
BDS NOW!