MADDOW: Is firing senior State Dept staff, 37% budget cut & Tillerson appt part of Russian plan?

[bigtree]

Dario Navarro‏ @darionavarro111
MADDOW asks if Trump firing of senior State Dept staff, 37% budget cut & Tillerson appt part of Russian plan?

watch:

[Brainstormy]

1. The Tillerson appointment bit

really got me last night. Rachel never actually came right out and said anything but she managed to deliver goosebumps.

[2naSalit]

3. Same here....nt

[lunatica]

4. She left me convinced that our State Department will be dead within a year

And that Putin orchestrated it so we would become toothless in Europe and powerless to stop him from doing his heart's desire. Rex Tillerson is truly Putin's man. She said Trump didn't even know him before the elections.

[Raster]

22. It is so disgustingly obvious that Tillerson's first priority is NOT THE UNITED STATES...

...AND it is SO DISGUSTINGLY OBVIOUS that the republicans in Congress seem to be just fine with that. Just about every republican in Congress -save a select few- ARE TRAITORS TO THE UNITED STATES.

[SomethingNew]

29. Not arguing, just asking.

What has he done that makes it so obvious?

[Raster]

33. Tell you what, why don't you pose a couple of pertinent searches to google...

...and let google be your fetch-and-carry info boy? Here's a start:

http://www.rawstory.com/2017/03/dem-senators-tillersons-state-department-ignored-by-white-house-as-kushner-calls-the-shots/

http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/17/politics/tillerson-state-department-shakeup/

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/trump-tillerson-weaken-state-department-as-putin-would-want-893658691850

And then go from there... Not Arguing, just asking.

[lunatica]

35. !

[SomethingNew]

41. I get that those things are bad.

I just don't see anything that makes it obvious he has insidious motives instead of just being completely new to how organizations like the State Department are/should be run. Thanks for the attitude though.

[bdamomma]

37. He has oil going through his veins

He is loyal to Russia's Putin. It can't be more obvious.

[2naSalit]

2. I have no doubt.

I have been hanging out at friends' places to watch the news the past few days. This is unravelliing quickly and I suspect it will turn out to be a racketeering trial which can include the whole gang of thieves iirc.

[Cosmocat]

11. Well ...

It is as bad as it seems.

An actual trial?

LONG ODDS there.

My money is on even more overt information arising that completely cements what is patently obvious and ... Nothing happening.

[byronius]

14. I'm not so certain. Robert Reich has written about the cascading effects of popular sentiment

and how quickly things can change. Pure Treason with a capital T, and the destruction of the United States as a world power -- sooner or later, the anger is going to break the dam. I know I'm politically angrier than I've ever been in my entire life. I can't see this current population meekly being led to slaughter. Asymmetrical civil war is more likely, and the smarter and truly patriotic people are just not going to get on those cattle cars.

Perhaps also a note for you -- much has been written lately in psychological/sociological circles about the fact that cynicism can be as destructive as pollyanism, perhaps more. Maybe you're right; but does offering absolute certainty of total systemic failure help here?

[calimary]

15. I've been following it closely myself. Robert Reich wasn't born yesterday.

What he says makes sense. Popular sentiment is now awake and MAD AS HELL. When Darrell Issa says we need an independent investigation, you KNOW that rising tide of anger is having an effect. Darrell Issa of all people!!! He just barely hung onto his seat last November. I think some of his constituents smell blood in the water.

Besides, it's been correctly pointed out that once the GOP feels its collective neck in a noose, its members will save THEMSELVES long before they even consider some kind of "loyalty" to their Calamity-in-Chief. If they start concluding that it's gonna hurt THEM, they'll kick him to the curb. They're not going to want to "get any on themselves."

Just view it through the lens of greed and abject selfishness. Maybe "selfishness" should be mentioned first, because their behavior over the years has taught me all they care about is how it will benefit them and their party. Viewing it through that filter can help predict out what they're likely to do next.

[NewJeffCT]

32. I hope you are right

I think they're in there to get as much of a rollback on "entitlements" as possible. When it all goes to hell in a handbasket and seniors and the poor are out on the streets and homeless, they'll blame it all on Trump and the shacks and tents will be called Trumpville or Trump City like they had Hoovervilles in the 30s.

[Cosmocat]

24. Look

We are on the same team, so I am not trying to bash or beat up on you.

1) I am sharing my observations and sense of things - it has absolutely ZERO effect on the outcome.
2) That said, I saw this coming my entire adult life, starting in the early 90s with the absurd hatred and off the hook resistance to Bill Clinton.
3) Since that time we have seen STEADY slippage in terms of just how mean spirited the right is, the apathy of the "middle" and how the media went from subtly backing the republican's plays back then to being overtly in the bag for them now. We also have seen them make increasing gains in gaming the system through voting limitations and gerrymandering.
4) During this time, the last 25 years, they have increasingly gained power at the federal and state level. The only break in that occured in 06 and 08 when they were THAT bad with W and we had the most capable and talented politician of our lives as our standard bearer. Other than that, this country, despite them being more horrible as time went on, give the republicans more and more power.

What I see out there - our 1/3, their 1/3 and a "middle" 1/3 that breaks right far more than left because they buy "they are both same" and lean toward the party that screams how horrible government is.

Logistically - they have such overwhelming electoral edges with gerrymandering and such strong pull by their negative messaging that congress could care less what people think now. We have NEVER had a congress this uniformly dedicated to its party, and we have NEVER had a POTUS that is so actively deconstructing the federal government.

Again - I saw this coming LONG ago, and frankly, I put big chunk of my prime earning years trying to get into the game (being active with the party and running for office), even today serve one very small position and for good measure put in for another small local elected position I am likely to get.

But, my experience trying to get into the game at a higher level left me with the with the knowledge that people in this country are lost, you can't even lead them to the water much less make them drink it. And, I see it around me clear as day.

I know MANY of US who are pissed as hell, but that is sadly in equal number to those who gleefully celebrate in the hate filled things going on in DC right now, and that does not count the people who just have tuned it all out.

Final note - As a member here since the early/mid 2000s, I have countless posts over the years trying to balance out the MANY breathless posts about the impending doom of the republican party. I have noted, correctly, as it turns out, they were far from being doomed and in fact were moving toward more power.

I like Reich and I am happy to see him taking a lead like he has. I certainly don't WANT to see this turn out the way I want to see it. But, we face L O N G odds even stemming what is happening, much less turning it around.

[byronius]

36. Well spoken. Hope you're wrong.

I just read an article in the Economist, I think, about how the only historical antidote to wealth and power concentration is absolute catastrophe.

I hope they're wrong too.

[Cosmocat]

38. Yeah, I would say

ASSUMING things don't go nuclear, literally.

It is going to have to get bad, pretty fin bad, for the country to turn from "conservatism."

A lot of us are going to have to REALLY feel it - blowing up SS and health care, rising consumer prices, etc.

[calimary]

43. This and your other post (#24).

You're probably right.

Just look at the psychology playing out, before our eyes. Look at human nature.

It may have to get horridly bad for many many people in this country before they're finally jolted (or dragged, kicking and screaming) OUT of their "bubble world" and into the light of truth and reality. trump supporters like Martha Brawley, described in the link below, will have to get screwed pretty doggone bad, get their hearts broken, realize they've been lied to and royally had, and somehow find their way to some "come to Jesus" moment.

https://gma.yahoo.com/55-old-first-time-voter-chose-trump-protests-195504408.html

What's working against us? Denial. BIGTIME denial. They put their faith in this man. They believed him and believed IN him. They trusted him. And they got CONNED within an inch of their lives.

What else is working against us? Pride. It takes a boatload of humility and sincere examination of conscience to admit one is wrong. There's some shame and embarrassment and humiliation in that. It's damn hard! And not everybody's up to it. How many people do you know who would have their heads chopped off rather than admit they'd been wrong, that they made a mistake, that they fucked up, or worse - that they were HAD. They fell for the CONjob by a world-class CONman. Fell for it. Fell like a collapsing building. That's a horrible situation to be in. What will the neighbors think? What will people say? It's horribly hard to man up (or woman up) and admit you were wrong. All some people will want to do is somehow, somewhere, find a way to save face.

There will be some adults in the room, certainly. Hopefully enough that some of the Martha Brawleys of the world realize that they better study up, not JUST watch Pox Noise or listen to hate radio or their brother-in-law, and vote a lot more carefully. So they don't get fooled again. With their HEADS, and NOT their hearts. I've learned over the years that choosing a president and representatives and other people who strongly impact our lives requires head-over-heart decisions. Sometimes ruthlessly so. Sometimes channeling freakin' Machiavelli. EVERY time. I go with my head because I don't always trust my heart. My heart can be romanced and led astray. My head remains more objective and dispassionate. That's just me, though.

[Cosmocat]

44. Yep

I know so many Republicans, many are really sharp, most are genuinely good people. But, few vote with their "head." The ones with a LOT of money do. Most of the rest, it's cultural. Plain and simple.

To your point about admitting being wrong, I have learned that there are times you can talk to them, but once you cross that threshold of kind of beating them with the truth stick, it's over, because it becomes like a Chinese finger trap where the more they are wrong, the more cock sure of how right they are.

They don't tune in until it hits them personally, and even then some are so far gone, they still blame the evil liberal boogyman

[calimary]

47. You're so spot on, again.

Frankly it all kinda comes down to psy-ops. Perception management and psy-ops. You have to learn to "play" them like a fine musical instrument, which means applying care, delicacy and respect. I always have to watch myself - it can be VERY easy to become angry. And at that point, one has lost the argument. You can't go pointing fingers. You have to figure out how to guide. How to ease them a long in a way that they don't take offense personally. How to gently and subtly invite them to think about whatever it is - differently. The Chinese finger trap metaphor is Excellent!

And yeah, many of them are unreachable until something happens TO THEM, personally. I was impressed by the middle-aged man from either tornado or hurricane country, after a killer storm had bulldozed across several states including his. His home was among those completely wrecked. FEMA was on the way and he was grateful for that. And while he was being interviewed about it, as he surveyed the damage in the daylight, he quipped - "I guess there actually are some times when yeh need the gummnt."

I don't know whether to feel compassion or disgust when I see that. Particularly in cases where our side (us dreaded "libtards" and stupid "Democraps" and "the looney left&quot tried like hell to warn everybody! I feel the same mixed emotions about our friend Martha Brawley, the 55-year old first-time voter who voted for trump because she believed his sales pitch about what incredibly superior a health insurance plan he would provide. Upon hearing about the GOP's plans to "repeal and replace", she's crushed, dismayed, and scared to death. Because if anything even remotely like that God-forsaken "plan" materializes, she is S-C-R-E-W-E-D.

https://gma.yahoo.com/55-old-first-time-voter-chose-trump-protests-195504408.html

And it all means here's another head-over-heart decision for me! My heart wants to yell "TOLD YA SO, YOU FUCKING IDIOT!!!" My head, on the other hand, says "EASY there, girlfriend... rise above it..." My dad used to say that. "Rise above it."

[adigal]

53. No, we dont need them. We need to get thise who didnt vote and support us

Registered snd to the polls. 1/2 of Americans. That is who I'm focusing on. And i think people are scared and angry and will be a lot angrier by 2018.
If not, I'm seriously going to start talking secession to everyone i know, cause I'm not willing to go down with these 18th century bigoted haters.

[Cosmocat]

59. Yep

The 1/3 conservatives are lost, walking dead lost.

As you noted, that "middle" Third is the key. But, we got them in 06 &08, then they either started breaking ight or sitting it out again.

It seems they only time they get engaged and tuned in is when the Rs REALLY screw up. But, they quickly tune out or break their way once that passes.

[KPN]

58. Can you point to a historical time that antidote didn't spring from catastrophe?

I hope the article is wrong too, but I think it's right.

[Docreed2003]

56. Your sage wisdom and insight serves us all well! Thank you!

[briv1016]

39. Who's going to prosecute?

Sessions? Rosenstein? CONGRESS?! At his first on camera meeting with Putin, Donald could literally get down on his knees and... kiss his hand. Congressional Republicans would praise him for his diplomacy.

[mulsh]

5. I"ve been following State dept stuff & asking the same questions. It's a though a foreign adversary

has taken control of the executive branch and is destroying our government from with in.

Too bad there are no people who will investigate this. oh well... HEY LOOK OVER THERE ANOTHER TWEET~

[shraby]

6. I believe the leaders of the republicans in congress are complicit.

That would include Ryan, McConnell, Chavetz, Nunes and the other one on the Senate intell. committee who is investigating the gang of traitors.
They are slow walking the whole thing until their destruction is as complete as they can get it before it's nailed to the wall.
They want to get the supreme court slot filled too if they can.

[pnwmom]

9. They're probably all being blackmailed with whatever the Russians stole in the RNC hack --

which we know occurred.

We just don't know what they got.

[Raster]

23. YES, YES, YES, A THOUSAND TIMES YES!!! Ryan*, McConnell*, Nunes* and that insufferable...

...little chickenshit Chaffetz* are COMPLICIT and TRAITORS!

[Cosmocat]

26. THIS

they full fucking well know how poisonous and unamerican things are with Trump and Russia, but that they are enabling it to get their "agenda" hammered through highlights just how hateful and mean spirited it is.

The problem remains THE PEOPLE.

ALL OF IT, what Trump was the year plus leading up to the election, what republicans have been my entire adult life (since the early 90s, and what they both doing now is CLEAR AS DAY.

But, this country just continues to enable them.

[calimary]

16. What it says at its most basic is - screw diplomacy. We're going for the guns 'n' ammo.

At the same time, trump is all about boosting Pentagon spending, and funding. WHILE he's gutting the State Department. What does that tell you?

[samnsara]

7. yep!!

[RainAndMoreRain]

8. She had an excellent show last night

Nothing Russia wants more than have our state department cut.

Putin's investment paying off.

[Gothmog]

10. Rachel did a great job on this story

[renate]

12. A commenter named Jenny on Wonkette had a really excellent idea about this:

You know what this segment needs? A complete rebranding. Put a stupid looking puppet in front of a black background, a scary voice, and some scary music.

Throw it on youtube as "The Truth." Exaggeration, photo shopped pictures, etc and watch the dolts who wouldn't listen otherwise pick it up and run.

https://wonkette.com/614083/rachel-maddow-would-like-to-scare-the-shit-out-of-you-now#comment-3194693110

I really think Jenny is on to something here.

[oasis]

13. Meanwhile, Tillerson continues to stonewall the press. nt

[ffr]

17. Andrea was one in the M$M who was openly rooting against Hillary Clinton.

Screw her. How do you like what you sowed Andrea!

[elmac]

25. I just hope she goes home and takes out her frustrations

on her bankster husband.

[Cosmocat]

28. MY sentiments exactly!

her, at best, dismissiveness toward all Ds, Hillary in particular, was her end of enabling all of this, for a LONG time.

And, sorry, all this grandstanding right now is patently self preservation in nature - she sees changes coming in the day time slots at MSNBC and knows she is in trouble.

[Enoki33]

18. I suspect and hope her next questions will be about

the Russian/Wikipedia link that is now targeting the CIA, and how much of the Whitehouse agenda is actually being dictated by Putin?

[ornotna]

20. Wikipedia?

Did you mean Wikileaks?

[ancianita]

19. The GOP are likely dupes of Putin's General Valery Gerasimov's "hybrid war" doctrine in

dealing with the West. There's no indication that our cyberwars will subside, and so the smaller Russia's adversary, the more they can flex their international muscle.

Sounds convoluted, but it explains their ongoing behavior toward the West and NATO.

David Remnick, Evan Osnos and Josh Yaffa lay out this in 'Part 4: Hybrid War," in their article "Active Measures" in the March 6 edition about what was behind Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/06/trump-putin-and-the-new-cold-war

[dalton99a]

42. +1

[mitch96]

21. what pisses me off is

Last edited Fri Mar 10, 2017, 11:31 AM - Edit history (1)

that putin is sitting in his office, sipping a vodka and laughing his ass off.. No expensive war, no huge expenditure of capitol and get what he wants...
fucker...
m

[Eliot Rosewater]

27. Cant happen if there are patriots in the GOP, but there arent.

We KNOW McCain and Graham see what is going on, we KNOW they dont like it and they know it is a coup.

Why in the holy fuck do they not say anything? Are they that hungry for power they will sit there and literally watch us fall to the Russians?

You risked your life fighting the Vietnamese but have nothing to say when the god damn Russians get off a fucking coup???

[Bettie]

30. Maybe the comedians were right

he will be the last president...we'll be a Russian territory by the next election.

[ecstatic]

52. The psychics predicted that Obama would be the last president

Maybe they meant "duly elected" President. (Sigh)

[Initech]

31. Without the largest army in the free world to stop him...

Putin can continue his domination of Europe. Crimea was just the beginning.

[joet67]

34. Rachel has been like a dog on a bone. I hope her coverage wins awards. nt

[ffr]

40. It will. More importantly though, it is the USA's lifeline to its past and future.

The KGOP, tRump and RW media are in bed to gobble up as much wealth as they can, like the last rats on a sinking ship. Instead of saving the ship, they just push everyone else overboard.

[ananda]

45. 45 is behind the destruction of State.

Tillerson is just a stooge.. and a part of the evil, of course.

[CitizenZero]

46. The Destruction Of The State Department Is Tantamount To Treason

Treason and Sedition. The destruction of our Government from within. Putin and his Cronies must be jubilant at this prospect. Trump is Putin's useful idiot. Tillerson is an oil junkie and Putin Stooge. Try them for Treason. Traitors! Rachael Maddow is doing the best reporting on this stuff. Her broadcasts need to be disseminated far and wide. Oppose, Impeach, Resist!

[triron]

49. At least she is courageous enough to suggest it.

She does have a good audience.

[adigal]

55. Chris Matthews is asking out loud who Trump is loyal to? The USA or Russia?

He is actually suggesting Russia. I've never heard him this upset.

[triron]

48. Rachel is closer to figuring out all this shit

than anyone.

[ecstatic]

54. How does she sleep at night?

Trump's links to Russia are disturbing as hell. It's almost too much to take in, especially because our so called checks and balances are nowhere to be found. The more I hear, the more physically ill I feel.

[oasis]

50. K and R

[hollowdweller]

51. I think the idea is the opposite of what Trump says

Rather than it being all about he USA, it's about all the rich multinational millionaires getting control of the countries and dividing the world up between themselves.

[CitizenZero]

57. Exactly

Trump is a shameless liar. Whatever happened to "Drain The Swamp"? Trump has stocked his Cabinet with Alligators. He railed against Hillary's Goldman Sachs connections, and then he appointed a bunch of Goldman Sachs types and multi-millionaires and billionaires to his Administration. The Trump Regime is going to gut our Government, rip off the World for the few Ultra-Rich, and then expose our throats to wolves like Vladimir Putin. Trump is a Liar and a Traitor.