Writer Greg Olear on "Dirty Rubles": Trump is "gravest existential threat" to America in 150 years

[lindysalsagal]

DAVID MASCIOTRA Salon.com JULY 28, 2018 10:30PM

https://www.salon.com/2018/07/28/writer-greg-olear-on-dirty-rubles-trump-is-gravest-existential-threat-to-america-in-150-years/

I think it’s hard for people to square the avuncular guy on TV who cracked jokes and fired people with the real Donald J. Trump. The truth is, the guy’s been mobbed up for decades, with ties to both La Cosa Nostra and Russian organized crime. Trump is a money launderer for the latter, and has been for quite some time. “Money laundering” sounds cute, like something Danny Ocean and his merry men do, but it’s a euphemism for something unspeakable. The Russian mob has become so vast and successful because it eagerly participates in the worst of the worst: human trafficking, child pornography, sex slavery, opioids, illegal arms deals, blood diamonds — all the grisly, awful stuff that Trump accuses MS-13 of doing. By taking those dirty rubles and making them legitimate, Trump is a party to all of that.

The kompromat, by the way, does not involve tinkling Moscow prostitutes, but far more heinous activities. This is a person who sexually assaulted a reporter from People magazine at his house -- while his wife was home. You don’t think he’s capable of greater depravity halfway around the world, when he thinks no one is watching?

As president, he’s profited mightily from the office, in violation of the emoluments clause [of the U.S. Constitution]. Is he setting national policy to benefit himself and his family? Is there any doubt that he is? Look at how he and Jared Kushner handled Qatar, home to important U.S. military bases. Isn’t that by itself tantamount to treason?

Treason is a vague term. Unlike rape or murder or even petty larceny, it’s not visceral. But it’s the worst crime there is, because Trump actively betrayed 330 million Americans. He conspired with the Russians to contaminate the election, he lied about it, he continues to lie about it, and we have yet to find out exactly what he has promised his Russian master. I’d like to think that Americans across the political spectrum would agree that the POTUS should not be a compromised asset of the Russian Federation.

[Cha]

1. NO Shite!

[secondwind]

2. 😡😡😡😡😡😡

[Soxfan58]

3. Only way this is taken care of

Is to win back the house and senate.

[yardwork]

10. That's right. Get out the vote.

[duforsure]

4. trump and putin

now that its obvious trumps his puppet. And those in Congress that have been compromised too.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Good meme there: Trump Russian mob ties are more dangerous than MS-13.

The RepubliConned operate on emotions and fear. So be it. Use their fears to make the best vote (Democratic).

[calimary]

13. Might add to the pile-on, that's for sure.

And it’s not a bit surprising. Makes me wonder about his contractors and subcontractors and how many of them got short-sheeted by trump on pay for work done. I’d assumed it was always because he’d tell them “so sue me!” and they’d cave because they didn’t have the deep pockets to follow through on expensive legal redress like he had. Maybe that dynamic is only PART of it.

Maybe some of them also got a visit from one of those “gee, nice little company you got there. Sure would be a shame if something happened to it...” goons.

[dalton99a]

6. America is being held hostage by Russian-controlled terrorists

in the White House and Congress

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. Mobster American Government Achtung!

[Hortensis]

8. Trump's the tip of this existential iceberg.

Use his name like "Kleenex" for all tissue, but we should never imagine that vanquishing him wouldn't cause others to change their tactics. In this case, slotting in Pence.

[yardwork]

9. THIS.

[SallyHemmings]

11. GOTV

[lindalou65]

12. K&R

K&R!!! Can't wait to see Trump behind bars or if not, at least for him and his family to be stripped of their wealth and be at the bottom of the heap! Just so he has to struggle every day for basic necessities. I don't normally like to be so scornful but in this case, I am.