I know...let's blame Hillary and the DNC for 2016.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by whell

And yet some would suggest that US/Russian relations have degraded in the last few months. Also, the "money - laundering to collusion to obstruction" allegation seem to survive in the press sustained by leaks. But nothing like evidence has emerged that would support those allegations.

There seems to be evidence of all three. There's apparently evidence of Manafort money-laundering in NYC and Cypress, Trump's team enthusiastically accepted an invitation to collude in the infamous June meeting, and Trump admitted to firing Comey to quash the investigation.

Follow the money is often a supportable line of inquiry. However, there's been no evidence that - assuming Putin made an effort to blackmail or influence Trump - Russia or Putin has been the recipient of any favorable treatment since the election. Unless you can name some questionable activity the Trump has engaged in since January where Putin has been the beneficiary. In fact, as shown above, US - Russian relations are apparently worse, and not getting better with the latest round of sanctions that Trump just signed. If Putin had Trump wrapped around his little finger, wouldn't you have expected Trump to veto that legislation in spite of any expected blow-back from Congress or the press?

I think you're the only guy in the country (other than Dana Rohrabacher) who doesn't find Trump's obsequiousness toward Putin unusual or have concerns about what Putin is holding over Trump's head. To the extent that Putin no longer is able to exercise this influence, it's because of Congressional action and press scrutiny, not any newly-found Trump righteousness. OTOH, your Dear Leader did just thank Putin for sending home a bunch of our diplomatic staff, something I'm sure went over real well with the Foreign Service.

[Dondilion]

Bershidsky: Why Some Ex US Spies Don't Buy the Russia Story.
Evidence that undermines the "Russian Hack" theory should get more attention.

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/artic...e-russia-story

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Bershidsky: Why Some Ex US Spies Don't Buy the Russia Story.
Evidence that undermines the "Russian Hack" theory should get more attention.

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/artic...e-russia-story

You couldn't find a more squirrelly article if you tried, tovarich.

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by finnbow

There seems to be evidence of all three. There's apparently evidence of Manafort money-laundering in NYC and Cypress, Trump's team enthusiastically accepted an invitation to collude in the infamous June meeting, and Trump admitted to firing Mueller to quash the investigation.



I think you're the only guy in the country (other than Dana Rohrabacher) who doesn't find Trump's obsequiousness toward Putin unusual or have concerns about what Putin is holding over Trump's head. To the extent that Putin no longer is able to exercise this influence, it's because of Congressional action and press scrutiny, not any newly-found Trump righteousness.

I am sure you meant Comey, but expect no mercy from hell.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Rajoo

I am sure you meant Comey, but expect no mercy from hell.

True dat. Fixed.

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

Bershidsky: Why Some Ex US Spies Don't Buy the Russia Story.
Evidence that undermines the "Russian Hack" theory should get more attention.

https://www.bloomberg.com/view/artic...e-russia-story

This article in The Nation goes into more detail, and includes links. But the thing I noticed in that the whole thing depends on data from the anonymous person(s) behind the handle "Forensicator," data they and only they can provide. So the source is unknown and the data unverifiable. None of the VIPS conclusions can be proven, because the initial data is unverified and could be false.

The critics who say we should not believe in Russian hacking on the authority of intelligence agencies instead want us to believe in no Russian hacking on the authority of unknown sources.

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

The critics who say we should not believe in Russian hacking on the authority of intelligence agencies instead want us to believe in no Russian hacking on the authority of unknown sources...

... written by a guy named Leonid Bershidsky.