No link. The article appears in the Washington Post. Google it to read it in full.
It it is very worrisome that the president-elect is smitten with the Russian tyrant. It shows Trump’s lack of judgement and knowledge. Remember in 2015 when he guaranteed an interviewer that the Russians would never invade Crimea? The interviewer informed him that it had already happen. Dumb Donald had no idea.
Eugene Robinson wonders about Trump’s crush on Putin:
“Coming from a presidential candidate, Donald Trump’s misty-eyed admiration of Russia and its autocratic leader was weird. Coming from a president-elect, it’s nothing short of alarming.
I repeat the questions I asked back in September: What’s the deal with Trump and Russia? Does he have financial entanglements with Russian banks, businesses or billionaires that color his views? If not, as he claims, then why won’t he release the personal and business tax returns that could put the matter to rest?
“The latest sign of Trump’s infatuation is his refusal to accept the conclusion of the U.S. intelligence community that Russian state-sponsored hackers meddled in our election — a risky and provocative operation that could have been authorized only by Vladimir Putin.
“It could be somebody else,” Trump told reporters on New Year’s Eve. “And I also know things that other people don’t know, and so they cannot be sure of the situation.” The president-elect added that “I know a lot about hacking, and hacking is a very hard thing to prove.”
“It is unclear how Trump could know even a little about hacking, since he rarely uses computers. Aides reportedly must print out news articles for him to read. In my experience, experts on cybersecurity know how to use a Web browser.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Trump is a Russian asset. I have written articles about it.
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THIS IS NO DEFENSE OF trump.
His infatuation
From a power perspective, it is understandable. The US has lost its image (note the use of the word IMAGE; not to be confused with reality) of the most powerful nation.
Four. examples:
China’s land grabbing in the Far East. The US complained, but took no action.
Russia’s land grabbing and saber rattling in the west. The US complains, but took no action.
The line in Syria’s sand was crossed. The US complained, but took no action.
Iran holds several American citizens in their jails. The US signs a treaty, sends (rightfully) money back to Iran – but does not insist on setting the US citizens free.
China grabs land.
Russia grabs land
Hassan uses chemical weapons
Iran keeps American citizens
In all of these, America appears to be the weak o e.
It is understandable that quite a few Americans (especially when they are related to people from those areas) are disappointed and want more direct action.
Putin does not care one whit what the world thinks about him and does what he thinks needs done. Ukraine and Crimea once were part of Russia, I want them back, I have a far bigger stick.
China? Hassa? Iran? Same thing.
There are understandable reasons why the country has landed where it is. You and I may disagree with that place – but we know why Democrats lost. Democrats know why they lost.
I find it hard to believe that trump won. But then, my thinking about power does not end at the barrel of a gun.
trump won for the same reason hitler and others like him won: he found a scapegoat and played that all the way to the White House.
So it is up to all those who do not like trump in that place to do whatever we can to make that a single term presidency.
But before we can go there, we HAVE to understand what went wrong so we can step in front if that next time around.
And the attitude that, the only way we will work with the president elect us if he totally falls in line with us democrats is a dumb one.
I’m a Republican. Used to be proud of that. trump took that away. But I will not ever “totally fall in line with democrats.” I will do whatever I can to find mutual compromises. I’ll give. But “you” better give some, too.
We have two years to work on that.
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If you believe the white midwestern voters wanted Trump because they were looking to invade Syria and Iran, then you are wrong.
The majority of American people LIKED Obama’s foreign policy, which is why Obama’s approval rate is sky high. And, FYI, Trump said he would NOT have invaded Iraq and made that the centerpiece of his campaign, so I don’t understand who you think that the same voters who agree with him would now demand he get more of their children killed with more meaningless saber rattling.
Those voters don’t care about America waving it’s you know what. They care about being safe at home which is why Trump’s policy was all about scapegoating IMMIGRANTS as terrorists and not about how we need to invade other countries so we can look more manly than Putin.
The white middle class voters want jobs, and unless Trump’s jobs program is to draft all their boys to fight (it works!) he fooled them into thinking he would provide union-scale wages and benefits for all white men! When they find out Trump has no such plan, maybe some timely terrorist events will distract them.
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Since I don’t believe that, I’m good, thank you.
I do, however, live in the mid west, so I guess I’m a bit closer to what the Midwest think than someone living in New York City. Nothing wrong with living there, some of my best friends used to live there.
And no, many people where I live were not impressed with the president re his foreign policy is concerned. Other things, yes. That, no.
Many people all over the country were extremely disappointed in his “line in the sand” statement and his failure to back it up.
“Line in the sand” used to have consequences. Many Syrian refugees are disappointed in the failure to act on that statement.
And no, I am not a warmonger. But you don’t make a statement like that UNLESS you do something to back it up. It gave many people false hope.
One of the books I am currently reading is “Kill or capture,” by Daniel Klaidman. No idea what the mans political leanings are, but it deals with what to do with terrorists.
I’m convinced that the President lost sleep over some of the decision he made when giving orders to kill – and then learn of the civilian deaths.
So Obama was not against the use of force. He actually gave more orders to kill in this way than Bush.
When he is capable of those decisions, why did he walk away from his “line in the sand” statement? Which action lead to millions of refugees, dead and wounded.
Why did he sign an agreement with Iran, but did not demand the return of American citizens? What better opportunity?
Those are valid questions for people to ask – and should be answered.
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Rudy Schellekens
“When he is capable of those decisions, why did he walk away from his “line in the sand” statement? Which action lead to millions of refugees, dead and wounded.
Why did he sign an agreement with Iran, but did not demand the return of American citizens? What better opportunity?
Those are valid questions for people to ask – and should be answered.”
Well Rudy it must be something in that course and hardened NY personality that makes us natural skeptics of FAKE NEWS and FAKE CANDIDATES . Notice native NY-rs did not vote for F—FaceVonClownstic, especially in his district.
But perhaps Obama never should have made that statement about the use of poison gas and a line in the sand. Now facts are stubborn things, The sad part of the story is that their are no good guys in this Syria fight. Not even the Kurds who have launched terrorist attacks in Turkey and elsewhere. There is no evidence that invading Syria would have accomplished anything but kill thousands of American boys . American presence in Iraq did not lessen Iraqi civilian causalities. If anything it created sectarian violence that killed up to 500,000 Iraqis a very successful policy if your goal is Genocide.
But who would you have supported in Syria, ISIL, Al-Qaeda , or Hezbollah because that was you choice. Oh did I forget the Kurd’s who are not only separated by religion but by language and seek a separate nation carved out of Syria,Iraq and Turkey. So to quote a popular singer. “I ain’t no fortunate son ” ” Not your son not my son not anybodies son. ” should spill a drop of US blood in that quagmire . How ever if you want to put American boys there let it be your sons.
There have been 1500 casualties from gas attacks in Syria the over whelming majority 1300 of them in that Saran gas attack . Whose origin was disputed but generally is attributed to Assad. Again when you are dealing with ISIL, Al Qaeda and Hezbollah who knows. The line in the sand resulted in an agreement to dismantle Syria’s WMD. Since there have been rare Chlorine gas attacks again “most” by Assad. forces but certainly not all. Again send your son please . If not don’t be a “yellow bellied flag waving armchair patriot.”
Now Iran just the Hostages please.
There were 5 Americans thought to be in Iran. Four of them were released as part of the Nuclear negotiations. Why they were there another story. Perhaps you believe that the Iranian /Iraqi border is a popular hiking spot for tourists.I am a little skeptical .
The 5th a former FBI agent was captured or went missing sometime in 2007 . Obama took office in 2009 . Unlike the other hostages who had been on display he has has never been confirmed to be alive in the 9 years he has been missing. The Iranians deny that they have ever held him . And yes he was working for the CIA
http://www.newsweek.com/2016/05/20/what-really-happened-robert-levinson-cia-iran-454803.html
I have a lot of problems with Obama the least of which is his unwillingness to shed American blood in vain. ISIL/ISIS is being steadily degraded. By Muslims with American assistance. If you think Aleppo looked bad wait till you see what Mosul looks like when its over. . If we are realistic about Orlando and classify it as what it was, a nut with a gun who happened to be Muslim. Something neither Hillary nor Obama had the courage to do. Your chance of getting killed in a terrorist attack in the USA has been less than your chance of getting hit by lightning on a sunny day. In the last 8 years .
But anytime you need the help of us faster paced rude and crude New York-ers feel free to ask.
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The “Line in the sand” statement is at the same level as “I could have been trevone…”
Both should never have been made. But they were made. The Line was made, and led to hope that IF the line was crossed, Obama was going to do something about it. Nothing happened from the American side…
Whether you agree with military intervention or not, is not really the issue. My making such a statement has no impact anywhere in the world besides my little part of it. And when I have no response when my little line is crossed, the cause is lost.
Picking sides was not the issue (Obviously, the President HAD picked a side before he threw down the challenge). Expectations were created.
There used to be a commercial in the 70’s – “When E. F. Hutton speaks, everybody listens…” That same slogan could be, “When the U.S. President speaks, everybody listen…” Not anymore.
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edit button there not their
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No body has ever listened to the ramblings of any president. But tens of thousands of Americans have lost their lives on fools errands.
Far better that an American president eats his words than another 5000 lose their lives and another 50,000 come home broken.
Obama threatened Qaddafi it did nothing to stop him till he bombed the sh#$ out of him. Creating another sh#$ show like Iraq . Three mercenaries and an ambassador got killed and you would have thought that was equivalent to the 13 attacks on US embassies during the Bush administration . 66 dead 3 US diplomats. Are the Republicans still holding hearings.
Lets do a history check. Tough guy Bush 2 5000 dead well over a 1000,000 wounded . This was because Saddam was a state sponsor of terror creating weapons of mass destruction. And did not bow to king George . Well I am sure that Osama had a good laugh seeing the body count grow before Obama took him out.
Clinton warned the Serbs about Kosovo after the first war in Croatia. They did not take the warning so he bombed them into submission . The warning meant nothing and the involvement was from the air only. Smart enough to keep American boys from dying .
Bush 1 drew a line in the sand and Saddam told him to stick it where the son don’t shine even with 5000,000 troops on the boarder was not enough to convince him to leave Kuwait .
There was tough guy Reagan 300 marines killed in Lebanon he tucked his tail between his legs and got the hell out. USA USA USA .But the Granada did not take his warning and release American students. A massive victory for the tough guy. But he knew who to sell missiles to IRAN
Carter also was smart enough to keep Americans out of harms way.
Nixon after scuttling the peace talks that Johnson was trying to set up was going to show the Vietnamese who the boss was 28,000 additional American boys dead a 500,000 additional Vietnamese later my daughter just backpacked in Vietnam and Nike sells sneakers .
I always give Johnson a pass on the war because I think he regretted it and was deeply troubled by it, but bluster didn’t do it. Five hundred thousand American troops and bombing the North didn’t do diddly-squat
Which leads me to Jack Kennedy we and the Russians came to the ultimate brink of Nuclear confrontation. But it was not a line in the sand or the American Blockade a line of steel and Armor that ended it. But a back channel deal between Khrushchev and Kennedy that removed American missiles from Turkey. The reason you are here to talk about lines in the sand.
So here in NY lines don’t mean shit keeping American boys out of harms way far more important.
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Sun not son
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and border , not boarder
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Robinson’s conclusion that McCain might be instrumental in getting to the bottom of this is already compromised given his performance at the hearing today.
My take on this: Although it can’t be proven categorically, it has been speculated that Putin may well be the wealthiest person in the world. I think Trump believes this and ran for the presidency because he too thinks he can amass more money than he ever dreamed of through government manipulation and graft. Now that he’s been elected, he’s using his children and son-in-law as both cover and conduits to achieve his goal. He’s not interested in governing, so he’s given Pence free reign to do whatever he wants, which is a theocratic, Randian state.
The “end times” constituency must be incredibly pleased with how this is all working out.
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As my daughter would say
UGH!
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I caught a small part of a radio broadcast tonight pointing out that Russian cyber attacks are nothing new. Apparently, Russia has punished former satellites with hack attacks when they “misbehaved.”
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Hacking and spying are not new. Manipulating our presidential election is new and outrageous.
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My understanding was that it was not just “hacking and spying” but doing things like interfering with power grids. We were a little unnerved to hear evidence of attempted cyber attacks against the VT power grid. I think we should be aware of actual infrastructure interference that has occurred outside our own borders.
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These things would not happen if people would not response to emails requesting password information. No one in the world can stop stupidity.
What bothers me more than anything is that hacks into military systems are hushed
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“These things would not happen if people would not response to emails requesting password information.”
We are our own worst enemies. It is a little bit like blaming the victim for your (the hacker’s) bad behavior, though. Cyber terrorism should scare us all no matter how it is enabled.
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You wouldn’t get mugged in the park if you never walked there. Don’t blame the mugger.
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There was no proof accordingly to Clapper that Russia hacked the election. But, no less than TWELVE TIMES DURING OBAMA’S TERM there were serious hacks at the White House, military bases, NASA, etc. NOTHING WAS DONE! Hacking has always been a part of the cyber minefield. Dems are only concerned now because when the DNC (not a government agency) got hacked a lot of very dirty little secrets got out. Hacks to the RNC systems were not successful because of better cyber security steps.
Trump has never said he does not know how to use a computer. What he has said is … No system is secure if kids like his ten year old son can get into systems. I have a grandson, now eight years old, that hacked his first program when he was three. He is not a fan of computers anymore either. He has come to realize how easily computers can be manipulated.
Do you really think data floating through the clouds is safer than a pouch picked up at the source by one individual and taken directly to recipient? Podesta’s email was hacked because he failed to follow security procedures. He responded to an email from outside the network which any business will tell you is a NO NO!
Now, to the nuts and bolts of the election… This country does NOT have the election systems of each individual state connected over the internet. They never will because the potential for cyber attacks and abuse is to great. Even within each state the voting is not connected via the internet. There is no way to hack our elections because none of the systems are linked. Hacking into voter registration roles does NOT get you to the point to hack vote totals either … They simply are not electronically connected.
Why would Russia hack any system to influence an election that would result in the winner being someone that would operate from a position of strength? Hillary’s Russian reset clearly made her a better choice for Putin.
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Wow. Just. Wow. (Bottom of jaw just hit the ground.)
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This is Olbermann at his best. Worth sharing with your Trump-supporting friends (should you have any left): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv28Hnx9uCg
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Olbermann, Uygur, Schultz ,says it all about MSNBC.
Yes he is unstable.
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I’ve quit watching MSNBC. Just happened to be flipping channels last night and stopped for a second for the highly over-rated and long winded Rachel Maddow as she was singing the corporate mandated praises of scientologist and Palin/Trump loving Greta van Cistern [sic intentional] prior to her move to the “network.” Won’t be stopping there anymore. Watching Bob’s Burgers is a better way to spend my down time.
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