RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE IN 2016 US ELECTION & SPIN-OFF INVESTIGATIONS

[Duchess]

Fuckin' aye

[HairOfTheDog]

Four sources said the sanctions would be imposed under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, also known as CAATSA, which was passed by Republicans and Democrats seeking to punish Russia for its 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine, involvement in the Syrian civil war and meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

I was listening to a conversation about this and it gave me pause because apparently imposing something is quite different than enforcing something. It sounds good and would appease a ton of people but it's pretty much worthless much in the same way kicking out the Russians was worthless because they are allowed to send 60 back in.

To me, it's more than just shallow appeasement; it's a long overdue message and warning to the Russian leadership about their disruption operations across the globe.

I believe that the sanctions and bans of Russian oligarchs were pushed by leaders in our U.S. national security, the governments of our allies, and through pressure from the U.N.

If Trump were to oppose all of them at this point in the Russia investigation, it would be very bad optics for him. That's likely why he finally approved punitive action against Russian operatives and no longer denies Russian intervention occurred in the 2016 election, in my opinion.

I don't believe that the Russians who've been sanctioned and banned from entering the country are ones who could be readily replaced by newbies. They've got major financial and time investments in the U.S., they've infiltrated the NRA leadership, they've developed relationships and contacts within congress, they've met with members of the Trump family... They're people who have spent many years developing relationships and sidling their way into powerful political circles to advance Putin's agenda.

So, I think the sanctions and bans are a major public hit to Putin and his close associates, which is a good thing for the U.S. and our allies. I hope so anyway.

[BigMark]

Have you watched the Americans on Netflix?

[Duchess]

Not I.

[Duchess]

To me, it's more than just shallow appeasement; it's a long overdue message and warning to the Russian leadership about their disruption operations across the globe.

I'm normally a positive person & always hope for the best but it's difficult when it comes to some of this bs. Had this been enforced a year ago I might be a believer but these people have had months to protect themselves and their money/assets so I have little faith that this will have the desired affect.

[HairOfTheDog]

To me, it's more than just shallow appeasement; it's a long overdue message and warning to the Russian leadership about their disruption operations across the globe.

I'm normally a positive person & always hope for the best but it's difficult when it comes to some of this bs. Had this been enforced a year ago I might be a believer but these people have had months to protect themselves and their money/assets so I have little faith that this will have the desired affect.

I understand your points. You might be right.

I don't know if the Russian oligarchs got a heads-up or saw the writing on the wall and were able to somehow protect their assets in the U.S. before they were frozen.

But, the effects I'd most like to see aren't primarily centered around financial loss/inconvenience to those filthy rich individuals.

Instead, the effects that matter most to me are:

(1) significantly restricting the opportunities for now-sanctioned Russian oligarchs and diplomats to conduct political/cultural influence campaigns and gather intelligence in the U.S. and the west

(2) sending a very clear public message to Putin and company that the U.S. and its allies are no longer going to passively accept Russia's illegal disruption and interference operations in our countries, much less physical hit jobs on his enemies within our borders

I totally agree with you that these punitive actions are long overdue, but I support them and hope they're effective (and expect that Biggie will post a GIF of a unicorn with butterflies flying out of its ass in response to my cautious optimism ).

[HairOfTheDog]

Have you watched the Americans on Netflix?

I've never seen the show, but heard it's good.

[BigMark]

It's really good.

[HairOfTheDog]

President Trump's self-proclaimed 'Ray Donovan' -- Trump's long time fixer and personal attorney Michael Cohen -- was hit with a no-knock search warrant raid by the FBI today.

Attorney-client privilege is in play, but that becomes excepted if crime/fraud is shown.

Should be an interesting development in the Mueller investigation.

[Duchess]

Heheheh

[HairOfTheDog]

It looks like the suspicions against Cohen are primarily related to the pay off of Stormy Daniels.

Both Cohen and Trump have publicly claimed that Cohen made the $130,000 payment to the porn star just before the election without the knowledge of Trump.

However, that doesn't make much sense to me. Trump's alias is featured in the associated NDA (though he never signed it, which Daniels and her attorney contend makes the NDA unenforceable).

Mueller's reportedly referred the issue to a U.S. Attorney in New York. That leads me to believe there's suspicion that the $130k Cohen claims he made autonomously out of his own pocket may have been reimbursed to him using campaign funds. While that's not directly related to Russian interference, it's definitely a violation of campaign finance laws. Just speculating here.

[Maggot]

It looks like a stump hunt. I would like to see a crime proclaimed rather than an investigation looking for a crime. It will be a long term investigation it seems though and I'm glad Trump can still govern through all this. The deep state is deep and many would love to see Trump fail for chasing it. Tee-hee.
Other Presidents would falter. Trump certainly is a tough S.O.B. I guess time will tell the tale.

Also I would like the Mueller team to stop re-dating key paragraphs in their written statements and indictments. Everyone knows it was Australian and British intelligence that brought up the Steele Dossier that was funded by the DNC and the Clinton foundation where all this seems to have been created from. That is the re-dated material that is blacked out on any of the indictments. Then again time will tell.

Trump could force Rosenthal to stop re-dating them but may be holding back to stay out of it and let them dig their hole. Trey Gaudy as an independent prosecutor seems to think so. I say lay it on the table like any investigation should. The government should not be claiming national security on these issues, and as any prosecutor knows they need to come up with a crime which they have not as of yet. But its not for lack of trying.

[Maggot]

It looks like the suspicions against Cohen are primarily related to the pay off of Stormy Daniels.

Both Cohen and Trump have publicly claimed that Cohen made the $130,000 payment to the porn star just before the election without the knowledge of Trump.

However, that doesn't make much sense to me. Trump's alias is featured in the associated NDA (though he never signed it, which Daniels and her attorney contend makes the NDA unenforceable).

Mueller's reportedly referred the issue to a U.S. Attorney in New York. That leads me to believe there's suspicion that the $130k Cohen claims he made autonomously out of his own pocket may have been reimbursed to him using campaign funds. While that's not directly related to Russian interference, it's definitely a violation of campaign finance laws. Just speculating here.

They tossed in bank fraud in order to make it a bigger issue. "sigh" It really is pitiful considering they are delving into private client/ lawyer privilege that was not attacked before with Clinton or Obama and it will set a precedent going forward. The investigative team wants more than what they are stipulating in their request. Now a screen team will be set up and it gives them another 9 months or so to drag this on no matter the outcome. By then the damage will be done and the no Trumpers know this. Oh well we shall see.

[BigMark]

Talk about poison ass.

[HairOfTheDog]

If there's no bank fraud or other illegality, there's nothing to worry about.

[Maggot]

If there's no bank fraud or other illegality, there's nothing to worry about.

That's true but the search specifies it which gives a reason and a higher crime to secure the search, even if it was not bank fraud would be damaging none the less. The masses see the first flashy object not the retraction months later. If that's what this pans out to be but time is on the F.B.I & Justice dept. side and taking down Trump may be the objective at any rate.

[HairOfTheDog]

Pursuit of the truth in legal matters doesn't offend me, whether I like or dislike the person(s) of focus.

And, the opinions of the 'masses' don't matter in court. The probable cause and evidence matters when it comes to search warrants and prosecutions.

In any event, I probably think there are more members of the 'masses' that can be objective than do you Mags. Maybe that's because you're not objective when it comes to this topic (not a criticism, just a fact).

I'm not assuming Trump is a target of some Justice Department 'witch hunt' executed by Trump-appointed prosecutors and judges just because Trump, Cohen, partisan congresspersons, and the fans in Trump's core voter base say so.

And, I'm not assuming Trump or Cohen are guilty of anything just because they act guilty and their detractors say so. I mean........what kind of fool would scream "lock them up!" without evidence of a crime? Less than 40% of the masses, I'd guess.

I'm still waiting to see the evidence.

[BigMark]

* Her

[Tammy75]

President Trump's self-proclaimed 'Ray Donovan'

Please don't degrade Ray Donovan with this man!

[Duchess]

"the deep state is deep"

I don't believe there is a deep state but I hope everyday there is. I hope there are spooks in the background working to keep America safe because God knows the people in charge aren't doing anything.