BrentWil
BrentWil's JournalWhy Russia Loves the Idea of California Seceding
Source: Politico
The strategic advantage of making an argument for the secession of an American state to an audience in central Moscow is hard to gauge; after all, its voters in the States who would decide this matter. But the value to Russian interests seems more obvious, at least in the estimation of the leader of a separate and competing California secession movement, who actually lives in the state.
YesCalifornia isnt a Californian movement, said Jed Wheeler, the general secretary of the California National Party. YesCalifornia is a movement whose optics are all designed for a Russian audience to reinforce [Vladimir] Putin, by talking abouthow terrible America is, and reinforcing [the idea that] Putin is this great guy who is admired all over the world.
While the conference was going on, of course, the Kremlin-led hacking campaign against the Democratic National Committee was having its effect on the American presidential election, a provocation that has unwound relations between Moscow and Washington (with the exception of the president-elect) to their lowest levels since the pre-Gorbachev days. Since the election, while Washington (again with the exception of the president-elect) debates what the response should be for Russias meddling in the American political process, Marinelli and his handful of supporters are flaunting their ties with Russia, or at least the ones they hope to build. To that end, in mid-December, Marinelli held a news conference, helpfully covered by the state-run RT television station, declaring the opening of a California Embassy in Moscow.
It would be easy to dismiss all this as nonsense driven by publicity-hungry amateurs, but people who know the Russian political playbook say winking at these fringe movementsand even giving them a boostis a part of a very real strategy. Not only is this a way of puffing Russias domestic claims at turmoil in the U.S., but it fits firmly within the Kremlins modus operandi of cultivating fringe groups in the Westincluding, most especially, those who would fracture the United States in a reprise of the Soviet Unions demise, over a quarter-century later.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/01/why-russia-loves-the-idea-of-california-seceding-214632
Seems like a means to destroy the United States.
Former MI6 agent Christopher Steele's frustration as FBI sat on Donald Trump Russia file for months
Source: UK Independent
Christopher Steele, the former MI6 agent who investigated Donald Trump’s alleged Kremlin links, was so worried by what he was discovering that at the end he was working without pay, The Independent has learned.
Mr Steele also decided to pass on information to both British and American intelligence officials after concluding that such material should not just be in the hands of political opponents of Mr Trump, who had hired his services, but was a matter of national security for both countries.
However, say security sources, Mr Steele became increasingly frustrated that the FBI was failing to take action on the intelligence from others as well as him. He came to believe there was a cover-up, that a cabal within the Bureau blocked a thorough inquiry into Mr Trump, focusing instead on the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails.
t is believed that a colleague of Mr Steele in Washington, Glenn Simpson, a former Wall Street Journal reporter who runs the firm Fusion GPS, felt the same way and, at the end also continued with the Trump case without being paid.
Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-russia-dossier-file-investigation-hacking-christopher-steele-mi6-a7526901.html
Rather amazing read. The FBI needs serious investigation.
November 9th: Election is over, Clinton Wins, Dems take small Senate Majority and 10-20 House Seats
I think it is pretty clear that Trump is done. I don't think any republican could win this year without an effort to expand their base to a more diverse population. That said, that clearly did not happen. The big uncertainty is how many house and Senate seats the dems take over. I think odds are they take the Senate but don't take the House.
The question is, what next? How does Clinton Govern? What does Trump do after the election? It is likely that the election will be "rigged" and he will fuel those flames.
It just seems we are in a very bad place, even with what will be a win on election night. Thoughts?
VP James G. Stavridis?
It looks like he and Kaine are on the short list?
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/20/us/politics/hillary-clinton-vice-president.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=ts-item%202_of_3&module=span-ab-lede-package-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news
I think it might be Stavridis. Would totally undercut trump and his keep America safe bs. Plus Clinton worked with him as sec state.
Democrats are actually more enthusiastic than Republicans about trade
I think it is only wise to enter into the TPP. The world will become one economy and we should shape it. However, that seems disconnected from the view here. But is the view here disconnected with democrats in general? If so why?
http://www.vox.com/2015/5/15/8607771/trade-poll
The National Review: Our Jails are a scandal
Did not expect this from the national review. Perhaps prison reform could happen? Would be great for our society.
http://www.nationalreview.com/article/394841/our-jails-are-scandal-kevin-d-williamson
Naturally, nobody did anything wrong. Or so they said.
A few digs at Unions and the New York times... But it is the National Review. In any case, reform is needed. People act like humans when they are treated like humans.
In Secret, Obama Extends U.S. Role in Afghan Combat
Mr. Obama’s order allows American forces to carry out missions against the Taliban and other militant groups threatening American troops or the Afghan government, a broader mission than the president described to the public earlier this year, according to several administration, military and congressional officials with knowledge of the decision. The new authorization also allows American jets, bombers and drones to support Afghan troops on combat missions.
So we will be doing combat missions in Afghanistan.
Iraq has asked for help in defeating the ISIS. What should be President Obama's response?
Iraq has asked for help. ( http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/13/world/obama-voices-concern-over-militant-advance-in-iraq.html?hp&_r=0 ). How should the President respond?
My answer would be to help. I would use US air-power, special operations forces, and military training and weapons. ISIS is a legitimate threat to the region and US interests. Just because there is a past in which we should not have acted does not mean that the answer to every question is the same.
Nate Silver: GOP favored to win Senate
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/fivethirtyeight-senate-forecast/Russia Massing Military Forces Near Border With Ukraine
Russia Massing Military Forces Near Border With Ukraine:
http://nyti.ms/1kmhzE7
Looks like a full scale war could start shortly.
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Member since: Sun Apr 25, 2010, 11:54 PMNumber of posts: 2,384