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[Freelancer]

This message was self-deleted by its author (Freelancer) on Tue Jul 23, 2019, 09:45 AM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[Sherman A1]

1. The Mueller investigation is moving along at a

Very good pace. As to the other point of more individuals being involved, I suspect that has already been borne out by the various indictments and news we have received. I also suspect that we will see more going forward.

[rampartc]

2. putin does not have to own them

trump does not have to be an employee or a russian agent.

it is in putin's interest to keep americans divided by race, by class, by ideology. it is in putin's onterest to allow our infrastructure to degrade,our currency to devalue, and our industry to emigrate.

those interests naturally coincide with trump's class interests, which are the republican partisan interests. it is perfectly possible for them to cooperate without conspiring or colluding.

[pnwmom]

3. Maybe so, but he DOES own Trump, and Trump Jr., and Jared,

and a host of others.

By now there is a mountain of evidence of their collusion.

[Eliot Rosewater]

53. Rump owes putin 4 billion and will do every single thing he is told to do.

[Texin]

69. All anyone needs to do to see that there's a 'plot' is to look no further than McConnell.

He singlehandedly could bring an end to the shutdown by advancing the bill already approved by the House. He's been in a position to do that for over two weeks. What other reason could he have to continue this folly?

[GWC58]

77. And Ivanka. And Melania. And Erik. And, and, and!

☠️😈👿👺

[watoos]

4. I'm not so sure.

A lot of Repugs got Russian money. Then we have Devin Nunes, Rohrabacher, McConnell. We have the Kevin McCarthy/Paul Ryan hot mic where McCarthy talks about Trump and Rohrabacher being paid by Putin and Ryan says this stays among us.

The Freedumb caucus may just be what its name implies, dumb people who vote against their own best interests. Then we have the racist, bigoted Republicans, the Libertarian Republicans who simply vote against anything Democratic.

Trump most certainly has to be an employee, Putin owns him.

[japple]

30. Sowing chaos, here in the US, and the world over. eom

[certainot]

75. putin interests also dovetail with what team limbaugh has been selling for years

here are some examples

goes back at least to 2008 when Manafort was McCain campaign cochair. McCain was thinking about Pawlenty and even Lieberman. Limbaugh wouldn’t support McCain, a looming disaster for the GOP convention. Minutes before the start of the Limbaugh show on the Friday before the GOP convention McCain publicly chose Palin and Limbaugh used the announcement to finally support McCain. Did he have prior knowledge of it? At that time Alaska Gov Palin was being courted by Russians re oil and gas.

Steve Schmidt could also be asked about that. He feels responsible for convincing McCain to pick Palin but Russian operative Paul Manafort was there too.

In 2009 Limbaugh started the “Climategate” hoax based on Russian-hacked emails, a development timed to sabotage Obama at the Copenhagen climate talks. Every year we delay on global warming is worth billions to Putin.

In 2011 Limbaugh spent 2 months trying to get Republicans to force the US to default, something Putin would enjoy more that any US billionaire.

Sam Nunberg might know how Trump coordinated with Kremlin.

Dems should ask Cohen, Nunberg about Russians using talk radio to influence Trump base

[Hermit-The-Prog]

78. you have a typo in the link in your 'sig'

[certainot]

79. grateful thanks

[Hermit-The-Prog]

80. welcome; works now!

[certainot]

83. every once in a while i get a little dyslexia...

[2naSalit]

5. What if?

It's looked like there was a whole gang of collaborators on this. Asshole45 couldn't have made it as far without them.

[watoos]

14. The corporate controlled right wing M$M enables them.

[Scarsdale]

6. Lindsey Graham is

clearly terrified of something. He shoots his mouth off on TV and acts like a rabid dog. He has something he wants kept hidden. Russian money may be part of this, but there is even more to it. Graham disliked tRump until he went golfing with him, then he did a complete 180. Mulvaney said he would not want tRump to be a role model for his son, yet he is now "acting" chief of staff for him. Money, power and - WHAT ELSE is going on??

[Ilsa]

15. I agree. I doubt it is only ambition

driving him right now.

He got nasty at Kavanaugh's hearing. Then yesterday he began his examination of Barr began with bringing up I-1's favorite deep state claim about FBI agents. I think he was proving himself to Trump, proving how "strong" and "forceful" he was, which trump likes.

[Eliot Rosewater]

56. Do we have the info on his NRA money?

Follow the money.

Lindsey is taking a position now that were someone to take it for a Democratic president Lindsey would lose his mind and demand that Senator step down from the Senate.

[bdamomma]

70. greed too.

but I think Mr Mueller and his team are gathering a lot of information, and who knows is going to be caught in the net. NRA too.

But again, Putin's name is all over this. tRump owes him big time money and so far everything Putin is asking for tRump is giving to him including our country and a disseminating our government agencies.

I want to see tRump and all those who are connected in this russian takeover of the US be imprisoned for ever.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

7. McConnell seems to play into their hands.

He hands leadership of the Senate to Trump.

Maybe Chou has some financial connections.

[Ilsa]

10. You need to check this out:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211668442

"...the Chao family had by far the most significant effect on McConnell’s personal life and career. Thanks to second wife Elaine and her family, McConnell became a millionaire many times over and forged ties with contacts at the highest echelons of Chinese government and business. 
Elaine Chao’s father is shipping magnate, James Chao. 
As McConnell’s acquaintance with Elaine Chao developed into a serious relationship, contributions began to pour into his campaign from the Chao family and their business associates. Their wedding ensured that the spigot was never turned off." 

"Fast forward to 2018: McConnell retains his position as senate tyrant after the midterms; Elaine Chao is the Secretary of Transportation in Trump’s cabinet, and the Chao family maintains extensive contacts and business investments in China including a seat on the Board of the Bank of China which is partnered with the Russian VTB Bank that is part-owned by oligarch Oleg Deripaska who shares ownership in Rusal with Viktor Vekselberg whose business partner Len Blavatnik donated $3.5million to McConnell’s Senate Leadership Fund. 
It’s little wonder then that he’s blocked every bipartisan bill to protect the Special Counsel’s investigation." 

"...It’s hardly surprising when you realise how enmeshed he is in corruption. He must be terrified of being caught — so the last person he’d want to protect is Special Counsel Robert Mueller. 
This also explains why he was so aggressively opposed to President Obama going public with warnings regarding Russia’s attack on American democracy in 2016." 

[rickyhall]

19. Very organized crime.

[bdamomma]

72. don't you think

if we know this kind of explosive information others may know to? including Mr. Mueller and his team???

[Bob Loblaw]

8. I've long assumed that was the case

[TryLogic]

62. As have I. It appears pretty obvious. Add FOX News to the list.

FOX really needs to be investigated as a Russian asset. Their effort to discredit the FBI goes massively beyond radical right wing "opinion". When did the right wing start attacking law enforcement anyway??

[safeinOhio]

9. Sorry, we don't need Alex Jones type conspiracy theories like

the nut jobs on the right. They make me feel dirty, greasy and subhuman.

Can we stick to facts

Let us keep our "what ifs" to ourselves.

[Ilsa]

13. As long as it is written as a "what if,"

it isn't unreasonable to air the issue and not keep it to oneself. Yes, it is still a theory, but two years ago, the depth of Individual 1's involvement with Russia was only a theory.

Putin is a master at planning and spying. Trump himself may not realize Putin's ultimate goals. He may simply be Putin's useful idiot. McConnell, on the other hand, has chosen his connections through his wife and her family. Paul Ryan silenced chatter about republican House members getting russian campaign money.

It's a frightening thing to consider, but after the revelations over the last few months, it wouldn't surprise me if Putin had more people in positions of power under his control.

[True Blue American]

16. I do not see the facts

Last edited Thu Jan 17, 2019, 01:16 AM - Edit history (1)

About McConnell, his wealth and connections as anything but what they are.

Trump, McConnell and Lindsey Graham are corrupt to the core. Along with Jared Kushner and Don, Jr.

Lindsey acts deranged all of a sudden. Actually asked the McCain family to let Jared and Ivanka come to the funeral against McCains explicit wishes.

I watched Lindsey at the funeral,his eyes darting all around and wondered why he was so nervous . I did not know at the time he had invited them.

McCain would be ashamed of him now. Something happened to Lindsey. He is acting just like Nunes did after his trip to the WH at midnight.

[watoos]

17. Maybe it's a coincidence,

that since the NRA has come under FBI investigation its campaign contributions dropped 90% to Republicans this past election.

There are more countries than Russia who are involved. Some things are flat out obvious. Jared Kushner backed the blockade of Qatar until Qatar "loaned" him the money for his 666 5th Avenue devil tower.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE poured money into our 2016 election.

Remember the Steele dossier wasn't written by an Alex Jones type person, Christopher Steele was an expert in everything Russia and nothing other than some minor details in his dossier has been disproven.

Alex Jones couldn't conceive in his wildest dreams what is going to be revealed by the Mueller/FBI investigations. Well, if Bill Barr gets appointed AG the Mueller report may never see the light of day.

[Trueblue Texan]

28. But even Barr can't shush the House hearings.

...the Republicans have plenty to worry about and they know it. That's why they need the government to be shut down.

[bluestarone]

71. I'm not even sure about this!

I think RUMP could stop Mueller from giving testimony citing executive privilege! or claiming national security issues?

[pazzyanne]

18. I have had similar thoughts recently.

"They make me feel dirty, greasy and subhuman." Yes, they do. I also appreciate facts, not innuendos.

[watoos]

31. When Trump brought the Russians right into the Oval Office,

with a Russian camera crew, and told them that now that I fired Comey the pressure is off, what was Trump getting at?

Why did we only get those pictures and statements from Russian sources?

What innuendos are you referring to? Calling Trump a traitor? Of course we are not at war with Russia so the term traitor does not apply even though Trump fits the dictionary definition of a traitor. Trump is a Russian asset, he meets with Putin in secret without any advisors without any record of what was said. The fact that Trump has met with Putin in secret means that only Putin knows what transpired and that fact alone can result in Putin blackmailing Trump over these meetings. That's being compromised. Our president is a threat to our national security. Government officials are leaking that Trump has been pushing to get out of NATO. They are leaking because General Mattis was fired by Trump and he was a restraint on Trump.

IMO we should call a spade a spade, Donald Trump is a traitor. (dictionary definition)

[pazzyanne]

34. Excuse me! Nowhere did I say anything about tRump.

And when I do, I never capitalize his name. I was responding to a post above yours, not to yours. I don't appreciate the Alex Jones/ InfoWars type type comments sometimes posted on DU these days. You may want to follow the side line to the post someone is commenting on to avoid confusion in the future. Thank you.

[Freelancer]

49. If Repubs are asked if they're supporting DT for Russia, some will wake up -nt

[pazzyanne]

68. We can hope so.

[Cheviteau]

22. Really?

When did you appoint yourself the arbiter of what is to be posted here? I'll go a little farther than the original post and say it's not a 'what if' but, indeed, I believe it to be a fact that others in the Republican party hierarchy are up to their eyeballs with your man Trump in this.

[Eliot Rosewater]

57. OH MY GOD

[duforsure]

11. Putin has the Republicans compromised

Because they were more corruptible than the Democrats, and he could hold them compromised after funneling millions into their campaign funds, and some into their pockets, so now they are totally his , like trump is from all his crimes, and behaviors. I also think they are about to expose them all who are involved with putin against us in OUR government , and they will be purged and held fully accountable for their crimes. Trump is in deep , deep trouble because many other agency's in other country's have the dirt on him too. He can't stop it, or threaten his way out of this, and putin will also be exposed taking billions from his government and the russian people , and will see his future change in time too.

[watoos]

20. The Republican party is basically gone.

It's the Trump/GOP party. Republicans hitched their wagons to the Trump train and are barreling down the tracks.
The Trump/GOP party still has the backing of the corporate right wing M$M and it controls the narrative or Trump would have been impeached by now.

[Kurt V.]

12. the Russian's did hack the RNC also.

[renate]

74. I think you have explained the behavior of many members of the GOP in those seven words

I'd like to hear this brought up on TV more often by the contributors who are wondering why Graham and other GOPers are behaving the way they are.

[Luciferous]

21. I think they definitely have something on Graham. His behavior has just been

crazy since the election. Nunes, McConnell, and Rohrabacher also acted like they could have been compromised, but that seems more like a money thing. I think they have more than that on Graham.

[appleannie1943]

24. We think alike

[appleannie1943]

23. I think he has a couple handful in his pocket.

[dumpTrump Dumptruck]

25. Cowardice is More Likely regarding the GOP

Though I'm certainly glad that Rohrbacher's gone.

[Trueblue Texan]

26. I think this is entirely plausible...

...and even likely. The real question is, are we all going to be frog stew before enough of Americans wake up and demand that we LOCK THEM UP?

[CCExile]

27. Americans thought the cold war was over...

Putin knew this was an opportunity, and secretly continued it?

[mjvpi]

29. Follow the money

Our country has increasingly, during my 60 year lifetime, been controlled by by big money. Citizens United has made the source of that money invisible. Easily international. Trump, McConnell, the NRA are symptoms.

[watoos]

32. The NRA funneled millions of dollars

to Republicans in 2016. Now that it is under FBI investigation its contributions to Republicans fell 90% in 2018.
Weird isn't it? Now all of a sudden the NRA is going broke.

Thoughts and prayers.

[get the red out]

33. I have thought this all along

Look at how many R lawmakers have been going to Russia during this administration? A whole group of them over the 4th of July. And all that NRA money that came from Russia, I would imagine most of the R's were aware of where that money really came from.

[Perrenial Voter]

35. I think there are some Republicans view Putin as an

ideological ally. He is popular among racists and white supremacists because he is an ethno-nationalist. He is also authoritarian and anti-democratic. Unfortunately, there seem to be a lot of Republicans who are sympathetic to his thinking and style of governance. They don't necessarily need to bought off or blackmailed with kompromat, though this is happening too.

[Vogon_Glory]

36. I would not be surprised if Citizens United

made it possible for the Russian intelligence services to compromise and subordinate the Republican Party.

James Bopp, this is your true legacy: handing the Republican Party over to Kremlin control.

[Javaman]

37. he isn't.

I have long maintained that this is systemic in the repuke party.

[marble falls]

38. I think he collected and owns the full set.

[mickswalkabout41]

39. Any member who took nra money

Any one. Is guilty of treason. I have long felt that the entire party is involved and has been for a while. Fixing elections was the first clue. And how long have repubs done that?

[lark]

40. The $30 million Russia sent to NRA is proof of how widespread their illegality went.

McConnell was in the middle of this which is why he protects drumpf, because he knows PUtin will take action against him if he deviates one iota. Ryan also took Russian money and bet most of the repugs did as well. It's why I think he left government, he knew drumpf would be pulled down by Mueller and is afraid he'd get caught up in the purge. Hunted and Nunes also for sure took Russian $$ and I'd bet almost all of them did. Anyone who took NRA $$ took Russia $$ and they have the congresscritter by the balls and let them know it.

[Firestorm49]

41. Agreed

Granted, we have been told quite a bit, but this thing runs deep. The investigations have multiple fronts not solely confined to the Russian probe. I would LOVE to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, as I have stated ad nauseum. I believe you. There’s a whole lot more that’s happened than we know, and I believe a much greater involvement by pseudo-Republicans.

Trump has conditioned us to deal with the adversity that he brought on himself. Bring it on.

[tblue37]

43. Over 300 members of both houses of Congress are up to their ears in rubles. nt

[librechik]

45. IF? Really?

Leadership is in on it. Even Pence got financial favors from Moscow. They did it right out in the open--Oh, except Ryan told them to not leak about Russians paying Trump and Rohrabacher. That's "consciousness of guilt."

[Marcuse]

47. A list of NRA donations to Members of Congress:

[link:https://www.worldpress.org/article.cfm/nra-money-to-congress|

[A HERETIC I AM]

59. THIS

This is where they'll find it. Ever since the whole thing with Buttina broke, I'm betting a shit ton of Russian money got to Repubs via the NRA.

[elleng]

51. He pretty clearly isn't the only one;

consider mcconnell, for one 'other.'

[JHB]

52. The real question is how many of them does he have a hand...

...so far up he can brush their teeth from the inside?

[dlk]

54. Isn't is Obvious? Trump's Not the Only One

Why would the Russians stop with Trump?

[democratisphere]

55. I believe a whole lot of redumbliCONS are owned by putin.

[Pachamama]

58. If? Lets start with Devin Nunes, Dana Rohrbacher, GOP Members who traveled on July 4th to Moscow

....any of them that received money from the NRA into their pockets....some of the GOP members of Congress who retired early...

Lindsay Graham????? Oh Yeah....

Moscow Mitch and Paul Ryan also might have some reasons to be considered....

[randr]

60. I wonder how much money changed hands

in the days before the Republican Convention. When they changed their platform to favor the Reds it became more than evident that someone got paid off to keep quiet.

[Vogon_Glory]

61. And What If Water Is Wet?

I wouldn’t be surprised if Russian intelligence agencies were croaking “Frog!” into some of our senior Republican solons’ ears and telling them how high they should jump.

—

Could some other DU reader kindly translate this into Russian?

[peggysue2]

63. Don't think there's any question that . . .

a large number of the GOP was/is compromised and complicit in the installation and defense of Trumpski. Because money and the desperate scramble for power and influence.

Regardless of what the Russians planned and carried out in this debacle, they needed inside help to implement. The real horror is how many Americans aided and abetted a foreign adversary--a mobster state--to take the reins of power.

We invited this snake through the door and he's followed the script along with his acolytes.

Our challenge is to rewrite the conclusion where the snake, instead of fatally striking its benefactor, is tossed to the fire.

[KPN]

64. What if????

You have to ask that?

[FrankBooth]

65. His ownership of Moscow Mitch...

Has been the most consequential. Moscow Mitch is the most dangerous man to democracy in D.C. now.

I'm torn about Lindsey ... it could be kompromot, or it could be Lindsey is thinking long-term and wants to step into the void and suck up all the Trump diehards if/when Dotard is forced out --don't think Pence has the ability to keep them in the fold.

Perhaps Lindsey thinks he can parlay that GOP voter bloc into a Presidential run in a post-Trump GOP?

[Wounded Bear]

66. I'll consider that a rhetorical question...

[joanbarnes]

67. this is quite obviously the case........

[WhiteTara]

73. here's a short article about the Turtle.

http://eureka.news/free-parking-59/

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

76. Some dare call it a conspiracy......

bc it is. Money is in short supply in America and the gop will step over each others carcus to get it.

[TSheehan]

81. Dana Rohrabacher.

[AZ8theist]

82. You seriously need to ask this question??

In other news, water is wet. Film at 11...

[DFW]

84. "Far from it" is more likely

Otherwise, we would have heard the end of this log ago.

[Texin]

85. I think they're in thrall to all the oligarch riches. It seems to be the only thing they care about.

I'm absolutely certain that many of them (perhaps most of them) have been compromised in some manner. Whether krompromat exists or not, the only thing that matters more is the big riches that they believe they can have continuous access to. There've always been wealthy people and wannabes who can't ever attain as much wealth as they want. There is an empty bottom in them that will never be filled and they don't care how they get it and who and what is wrecked in its pursuit.