Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

UCmeNdc

(9,650 posts)
Tue Dec 13, 2016, 09:06 AM Dec 2016

The 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

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
The Issue Is Treason (Original Post) UCmeNdc Dec 2016 OP
K&R! DemonGoddess Dec 2016 #1
+1 triron Dec 2016 #7
That's the whole story. K&R shraby Dec 2016 #2
That and why isn't Comey in jail? uponit7771 Dec 2016 #3
Anyone can be accused of treason HoneyBadger Dec 2016 #4
Well let's investigate and see where the evidence leads UCmeNdc Dec 2016 #6
And Trump invited it triron Dec 2016 #5
precisely.. nt TheFrenchRazor Dec 2016 #8
If it's not about war it's not treason onenote Dec 2016 #9
When you plot with another nation against the United States it is treason UCmeNdc Dec 2016 #10
I'm all in favor of having an investigation onenote Dec 2016 #12
It's already politicized...and it *IS* treason. nt LaydeeBug Dec 2016 #14
Still not sure who died and made you the final arbiter of what is covered by the treason clause onenote Dec 2016 #15
Perhaps you think you are the final arbiter of what is covered by it, and I steal your joy LaydeeBug Dec 2016 #16
My message is far more "honed" than yours. onenote Dec 2016 #17
That's *right*, it *is*. nt LaydeeBug Dec 2016 #18
kick. nt LaydeeBug Dec 2016 #11
kick for visibility triron Dec 2016 #13
knr triron Dec 2016 #19
With Putin now being implicated as directly involved in the hacking triron Dec 2016 #20
 

HoneyBadger

(2,297 posts)
4. Anyone can be accused of treason
Tue Dec 13, 2016, 10:01 AM
Dec 2016

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.

 

triron

(22,240 posts)
5. And Trump invited it
Tue Dec 13, 2016, 11:53 AM
Dec 2016

on national TV. Not sure if that fits the definition of treason though but it's damn close.

UCmeNdc

(9,650 posts)
10. When you plot with another nation against the United States it is treason
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 08:34 AM
Dec 2016

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)
12. I'm all in favor of having an investigation
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 09:24 AM
Dec 2016

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.

onenote

(44,658 posts)
15. Still not sure who died and made you the final arbiter of what is covered by the treason clause
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 04:59 PM
Dec 2016

But enjoy yourself.

 

LaydeeBug

(10,291 posts)
16. Perhaps you think you are the final arbiter of what is covered by it, and I steal your joy
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 05:03 PM
Dec 2016

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)
17. My message is far more "honed" than yours.
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 05:16 PM
Dec 2016

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.

 

triron

(22,240 posts)
20. With Putin now being implicated as directly involved in the hacking
Wed Dec 14, 2016, 07:39 PM
Dec 2016

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?

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»2016 Postmortem»The Issue Is Treason