What the Fuck was the Russian Ambassador Doing at the Republican Convention ?

[louis c]

The Republican Convention. A number of Trump surrogates met with the Russian Ambassador at the Republican Convention in Cleveland. The only change to the Republican platform was to water down a platform plank that supplied arms to the nationalist in Crimea who were fighting the Russians.

What a fucking coincidence. Then, just before the Democratic Convention, there's a Russian inspired document dump that embarrasses the DNC and causes the chairwoman to resign.

What a fucking coincidence.

Let's put it this way. There is far more empirical and circumstantial evidence that the Trump campaign was in cahoots with Russia to undermine our free election process then there was that Raphael Cruz was involved in the JFK assassination, and Trump believed that.

[Rex]

1. Lobbying. nt

nt

[spanone]

2. what was he doing in trump tower?????????

"Kushner and Flynn Met With Russian Envoy in December, White House Says"

The Trump Tower meeting lasted 20 minutes, and Mr. Kushner has not met since with Mr. Kislyak, Ms. Hicks said.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/us/politics/kushner-flynn-sessions-russia.html?_r=0

[AnotherMother4Peace]

17. The more that comes out, the more it sounds like the Mafia. nt

[DK504]

24. I'm sure

Putin and his mob buddies have had meeting with people on the tRump team.

That Kiskyak was in Cleveland had damn well better be the breaking news tomorrow morning.

[Initech]

47. Trump literally hung out with the Mafia at his New Year's Eve party!

This whole thing is getting weirder by the day!

[Takket]

3. employee evaluations

[ornotna]

27. LOL, so true

and handing out bonus checks.

[brer cat]

58. Boom!

Well played, Takket.

[Dallasdem1988]

4. Ambassadors go to conventions

Ambassadors lobby at conventions. I have a friend from Argentina whose husband works for their government and she said the ambassador went to both rnc and dnc cconventions

[louis c]

8. My Uncle's barber has a friend

who sells sandwiches next to the Washington Monument who says you're not accurate.

[Dallasdem1988]

11. Lol.

Would you Like some humble pie? I prefer to listen more than speak, lest I make a fool of myself.


http://www.embassyofargentina.us/en/ambassador-lousteau-attends-the-republican-and-democratic-conventions.html

[louis c]

12. any asshole can go to a convention

but I notice that he held no meeting with anyone while he was there.

I can go see the Cleveland Cavaliers play basketball, but that doesn't mean I spoke or spent an hour with the players.

That story proves nothing.

Where was the lobbying part?

[Dallasdem1988]

18. I'm sorry.

What do you think they do there? See the beautiful sights of Cleveland?

You called me a liar. You accused me of being a troll. Then you edited your post.

I provided proof and you look like a fool. Stop being so emotional and irrational. It gives us a bad name.

[uponit7771]

25. Nah, you're proffering a red herring seeing going to the event and MEETING with campaign staff

... is the salient issue here.

But you guys are good, ... at least the obfuscation points are solid

[Kingofalldems]

30. Emotional and irrational?

Where have I heard that before? Hmmm.

[Dallasdem1988]

36. Lol

it's what someone says who is trying to stop us from getting labeled as a witch hunt.

Attack for the mountain of evidence we have, not for things this admin will easily deflect.

[Dallasdem1988]

38. Another member posted this

https://www.bciu.org/events/55798/business-reception-at-the-democratic-national-convention-with-foreign-ambassadors


Thanks again though DU. For making new members feel welcome.

[louis c]

64. Russian Ambassador Designated as Spy

Maybe after you know the difference between an "Ambassador" and a spy, and the difference between a meeting which resulted in a change in the Republican Party Platform from the norm, you can then stop being an apologist for Trump and Trump's associates' treason against the United States.

There is evidence that a quid pro quo was struck that resulted in the hacked emails of Hillary's to be released in a timely fashion that aided the Trump campaign for this substantial (and only) change to the RNC Platform. That's the point of the OP.

The fact that some twerp nobody Ambassador from Argentina also attended the conventions as some sort of spectator proves nothing but is a naïve attempt to give credibility to Trump's smoke screen.

Do you understand the difference now?


<snip>Current and former US intelligence officials have described Kislyak as a top spy and recruiter of spies, a notion that Russian officials have dismissed.<snip>

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/02/world/sergey-kislyak-russian-ambassador-us-profile/

[Dallasdem1988]

68. If he is a spy

Why was he allowed to remain in his position? Invited to the whitehouse dozens of times? Spending time with the democrats in recent days etc

I'm not a trump apologist, I never said trump didn't have shady Russian connections im just not understanding how an ambassador doing his job is "spying" and why if so the obama administration allowed him to remain in his position.

[louis c]

69. Your argument, as Trump's is, is with...........

our intelligence agencies. Maybe our intelligence agencies are lying and the Russians and Trump are telling the truth. Or maybe you believe, as Trump and his supporters believe, that CNN is "false news". It can only be one or the other. That seems to be your point.

Therefore, my conclusion is, that you are a Trump apologist.

This is my last response to you. If I wanted to argue with a Trump apologist, I can do it at work.

[Kingofalldems]

70. Too much man.

[lapucelle]

59. I think someone is confusing advocacy with lobbying.

[lapucelle]

23. I wonder if the Russian ambassador attended the Democratic convention too.

The ambassador you link to attended the conventions of both parties.

Like you, most others listen more than they speak as well, but 60 posts in the 25 days that you've been a member of DU is very good participation.

[Dallasdem1988]

34. Thank you

thank you for mentioning that, I'm trying but people seem so ready to attack here.

It is very common for ambassadors to go to conventions. Lots of countries were respresented at both.

This whole trump thing is obviously fishy as hell I just know it's not uncommon for them go to these events.

[Raine1967]

46. Did he atternd the DNC?

I am trying to find this out.

[Dallasdem1988]

48. No idea

I'm trying to as well doesn't seem to be an exact list though I'm guessing he probably didn't.

[lapucelle]

50. You began a response with "LOL" (always a thoughtful

and measured thing to say), proceeded to tell the OP that he was going to eat "humble pie" implying that he had "made a fool of himself", claimed outright that you made him "look like a fool" when you clearly failed to do so, and accused him of being "emotional and irrational".

And now you bemoan that "people seem so ready to attack here", at DU and complain about "not feeling welcomed"?

Alrighty, then.

[Dallasdem1988]

51. He edited his post

His original response was much different and my response reflects that. He edited it to save face. My comment string doesn't make sense because it isn't a response to his edited message, it's a response to his original one.

He accused me of lying, and making up the story, as well as being a troll. I posted verifiable proof of the ambassadors attendance.

He does look foolish for not taking the time to check and see if ambassadors attending conventions is a common practice. It is. This is information one can look up in a fraction of the time it takes to go out and right some rant on the matter.

I get people are upset, many of us have been since the election. But that doesn't mean we go out and just attack everyone who corrects us.

Instead of taking the time to try and defend the OP, and reinforce your own confirmation bias you should of probably gone and and checked the indormafion for yourself.

Thanks though.

Lol

[Demit]

52. Maybe a better response was to let your evidence speak for itself.

When you're new, best to take it slow and not be so poised to counterattack. A mild response lets other people know you are not the aggressor, that the other person is. Longtime DU members recognize when other members are acting the bully to new members.

[Dallasdem1988]

53. I know

I was just pretty angry at the accusation. I shouldn't have snapped back so quickly and a member of 15 years contacted me and said don't worry about it. So I'm not. I enjoy the site and just was surprised when I made a innocuous statement and was attacked for my post count etc. you can read my posts, none are "trolls" or attacks on anyone.

But yes in the future I just won't respond.

[lapucelle]

61. Confirmation bias? In what respect?

Calling out rudeness does not comprise confirmation bias.

Don't you hate it when an undergraduate (overgrown or otherwise) learns a fancy new term and then then uses it ad nauseum and erroneously?

There is no edit history for the edits you are railing against.

Going to both conventions to listen, learn, meet, and advocate is a common practice. What the Russians and Republicans did is not.

And is the last three minutes of my time that I will ever squander on your nonsense again. Ignore is my friend.

LOL, indeed.

[Dallasdem1988]

62. Confirmation bias

Is exactly what it is when someone makes a ridiculous post about ambassadors being at conventions without taking the time to see if it's commonplace.

What you are doing, is holding so much resentment that you lash out at anyone who bothers to correct someone.

Enjoy your ignore button, DU apparently isn't enough of a safe space if someone corrects another members incorrect assumptions.

Sad.

The confirmation bias was on his part. I'm not sure where his post went but I'm sure he wouldn't deny accusing me on post count and join date.

[uppityperson]

72. Did you know we can see the edits?

[alfredo]

42. So true. Considering what Russia was doing to the Dems,

I don't think Gorky would have been an honored guest at the DNC convention.

[certainot]

43. and there's not nearly as much caviar

[alfredo]

45. Yeah but the Dem vodka uses potatos, not grain.

[McCamy Taylor]

5. Using his SCOTUS affirmed Constitutional right to buy a presidential candidate.

Citizens United made it legal for anyone, from any country, to buy a candidate. So Russia bought a candidate. Or rather, Russian oil companies bought a candidate.

[The Sand Reckoner]

39. Um, no it didn't

Have you even read the decision? Can you quote the relevant portions that support your claim?

[trof]

6. Aw shucks, just hangin' out.

The repub convention is party central.

[certainot]

44. and loaded with caviar

[C_U_L8R]

7. Looking after his investment

[KewlKat]

9. to thank the Con's staff for a job well done!

Trump campaign guts GOP’s anti-Russia stance on Ukraine

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/trump-campaign-guts-gops-anti-russia-stance-on-ukraine/2016/07/18/98adb3b0-4cf3-11e6-a7d8-13d06b37f256_story.html

[Turbineguy]

10. Recruiting.

There's a bunch of republicans who need to file one of these:

https://www.fara.gov/forms/2014/OMB_1124_0001.pdf

(which I include in the spirit of helpful courtesy)

[dchill]

41. Recruiting is his area of expertise...

Or so the Russians would have us believe.

[kairos12]

13. Meeting with a room full of Putin boot licking Quislings.

[lpbk2713]

14. Taking pictures.

[lapucelle]

15. Dictating foreign policy planks that Putin wanted included

in the Republican platform.

[mfcorey1]

16. Spying!!!

[Motown_Johnny]

19. Feeling right at home I would think.... n/t

[Cha]

20. Didn't think anyone would notice?

[Mr. Ected]

21. Commiserating with Republican party officials, lots and lots of them

Which is why the rabbit hole we are peering down may snare us a GOPPER harvest far beyond our wildest dreams.

[Progressive dog]

22. The representative of the most important Trump surrogate,

donor, and conspirator had to be invited to the celebration and be persuaded to help Trump in the general.

[Raster]

26. Safeguarding Putin*s major investment.

[nolabels]

57. Actually I heard it commented that the unrecoverable expenses were less than the cost...

of one of their MIG fighter planes.

Money laundered to DT's estate as a loan might not have been included

[applegrove]

28. Apparently lots of ambassadors get invited to both Republican and democratic

conventions to observe democracy.

[Doreen]

29. My thought, "its all coming together."

[bluedigger]

31. Test drive before he signed the papers, da?

[TheBlackAdder]

32. Perhaps he was acting as a Steven Segal Vacation Tours booking agent?

[stonecutter357]

33. shopping !

[onenote]

35. Ambassadors often get invited to attend convention related events

including the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

It helps to do a little research before getting all outraged at something.
https://www.bciu.org/events/55798/business-reception-at-the-democratic-national-convention-with-foreign-ambassadors

[Dallasdem1988]

37. Thanks.

I came back to my post and was attacked and accused of being a troll for pointing this out.

No one is saying that the Russian/trump connection isn't obvious, all anyone is saying is that it's common for ambassadors to attend conventions.

[onenote]

40. Exactly.

I know a lot of folks want to characterize Russia as an "enemy" of the US. And while it certainly is not a friend, nor does its interests align with those of the US in many many respects, it is not an "enemy" in the formal legal sense. It is a nation with which we still have diplomatic relations, still engage in bilateral commercial activity, and still allow its citizens to visit our country and our citizens to visit their country -- not exactly the way that nations who are "at war" behave.

[alarimer]

56. Yeah, I think some of this is definitely overblown.

We will have to just wait and see what the many investigations find out.

To me, it seems a bit like the Patrick Fitzgerald thing back during the Bush administration. Indictments were coming any day, until...they didn't.

I mean, it's clear Trump and company have shady motives (probably mostly related to enriching themselves) but the use of the word "treason" is premature and inaccurate, at least right now.

[louis c]

63. Including ambassadors who are designated as spies by our intellegience agencies?

<Snip>Current and former US intelligence officials have described Kislyak as a top spy and recruiter of spies, a notion that Russian officials have dismissed.<Snip>

Link:
http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/02/world/sergey-kislyak-russian-ambassador-us-profile/

[onenote]

65. If we haven't ordered him out of the country

there's no reason that organizations wouldn't invite him to meet with people.

Lots of Democrats undoubtedly have met with this guy. The issue isn't meeting with him. It's what was discussed.

[louis c]

67. They didn't sneak the Ambassador into the back door at Trump Towers

and I'm sure our government officials had to meet with him in the performance of their duties, but why did so many of Trump's political operatives in the campaign meet with the "spy ambassador" multiple times, in secret?

[MFM008]

49. Cultivating

Contacts.
Making that deal.

[Blue_Tires]

54. Making backroom deals, of course...

[Gothmog]

55. Passing out bribes

[niyad]

60. payouts?

[kentuck]

66. Wrong question?

Why did all of Trumps emissaries show up to talk with him?