2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumThe Issue Is Treason
After reading through a lot of the comments on my post about the various pointers to the obvious; namely, that Russia's hacks were done with a mind to tilt the election toward Trump with Mitch McConnell's blessing, I see some are misconstruing the emergency here. This is not about war with Russia. It's about treasonous acts within our own government.
It's absurd to make this about declaring war (or cyberwar) on Russia. As I noted on Facebook this morning, the real devastation isn't what Russia did. Not at all. They've been doing this for as long as I've been alive to remember it.
Russia did what Russia does. We've seen them do it around the world. The single issue here -- the ONLY issue -- is what McConnell, Chaffetz, Comey et al chose not to do.
There is no argument for war against Russia. There is, however, a serious argument for why Constitutional officers -- men who swore an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution -- chose instead to undermine it by allowing Russia to do what they did unchecked.
http://crooksandliars.com/2016/12/war-russia-isnt-issue-treason
DemonGoddess
(5,123 posts)shraby
(21,946 posts)uponit7771
(91,768 posts)HoneyBadger
(2,297 posts)Only about 30 Americans have been convicted and if you look at each from the politics and freedoms we enjoy today, I doubt that any should ever have been convicted. It is actually quite interesting to look at each case.
UCmeNdc
(9,650 posts)That is better than ignoring the problem
triron
(22,240 posts)on national TV. Not sure if that fits the definition of treason though but it's damn close.
TheFrenchRazor
(2,116 posts)onenote
(44,658 posts)Read the Constitution.
UCmeNdc
(9,650 posts)If there is any doubt let's have the investigation!
if there are links between Trump's campaign and Russian intelligence services it is treason.
onenote
(44,658 posts)I just think running around yelling traitor and treason does nothing but further politicize that investigation. Conduct the investigation and then decide what crimes were committed, not the other way around.
And I should add that assuming that any time a foreign government sticks its nose into US politics with the intent of influencing the outcome is a traitorous act is a slippery slope. During the campaign, the leaders of Italy and France both publicly endorsed Clinton, presumably with the intent to influence the election? If those endorsements had been encouraged by and/or coordinated with the campaign, would it be treason? I don't think so.
Russia isn't our friend. But we're not at war with them. And even if the hacking itself is considered "an act of war," then we're at war with China and Iran (both of which have engaged in cyber-attacks against the US government and/or its citizens). But I take issue with anyone claiming that attempts to change our relationship with either of those countries is giving them aid and comfort.
LaydeeBug
(10,291 posts)onenote
(44,658 posts)But enjoy yourself.
LaydeeBug
(10,291 posts)that part where it said "aid and comfort to the enemy" but, hey, PRETEND because the rhetoric sounds "extreme", doesn't it?
I am not enjoying watching TREASON unfold only to have someone supposedly from my side lambast me for what THEY are doing.
But pretense! Pretense! You *must* maintain your form. Maybe you could *hone* your message some more. Lick your wounds.
I prefer the good fight.
onenote
(44,658 posts)I've noted repeatedly that accusing people of treason without a clear statement of what does and does not constitute aid and comfort to an enemy as that concept is embodied in the Constitution is a slippery slope given the looseness with which treason accusations have been bandied about by the right wing in our nation's not too distant history.
And I've said that the Russian hack needs to be fully investigated before anyone can know what charges would be appropriately brought.
Your message, boiled down to its essence, is that its treason because you say so.
Again, enjoy your day.
LaydeeBug
(10,291 posts)LaydeeBug
(10,291 posts)triron
(22,240 posts)triron
(22,240 posts)Last edited Wed Dec 14, 2016, 10:51 PM - Edit history (1)
looking pretty good that Trump was at least encouraging it. That's a f..king (cyber) attack on the US in a big way! Why is it being for the most part treated so nonchalantly by the media and the administration?