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 All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:31 AM Jul 2018

Rand Paul on Russian election meddling: 'We all do it'

Source: Politico



By QUINT FORGEY 07/15/2018 09:15 AM EDT

Sen. Rand Paul on Sunday sought to justify Russia's interference in America's 2016 presidential race, claiming that all countries meddle in foreign elections.

“I think really we mistake our response if we think it's about accountability from the Russians. They’re another country, they're going to spy on us," Paul said on CNN's "State of the Union," a day before President Donald Trump's scheduled summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki. “We’re going to do the same," Paul added.

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein on Friday announced special counsel Robert Mueller's indictment of 12 Russian military officials for hacking the Democratic National Committee in 2016.

But Paul maintained such cyber-intrusions into other countries' elections were common on the world stage, suggesting the United States — while not "morally equivalent" to Russia — provoked the Kremlin's stealth attacks.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/15/rand-paul-election-meddling-russia-722205

57 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Rand Paul on Russian election meddling: 'We all do it' (Original Post) DonViejo Jul 2018 OP
Mueller team grabs another Corgigal Jul 2018 #1
Pathetic attitude from one who took an oath to defend us bmpbmp Jul 2018 #2
Yes indeed. Delphinus Jul 2018 #47
No dipshit, we all DON'T "do it, too". But do you/did you do it, too? marble falls Jul 2018 #3
Invariably, the answer is "yes." Eyeball_Kid Jul 2018 #7
And you know if Kentucky got it, almost everywhere else got it, too.....Remember how ... marble falls Jul 2018 #15
"The senator from Kentucky is now working for Vladimir Putin." - John McCain dalton99a Jul 2018 #4
John McCain said that? PatSeg Jul 2018 #11
Yep. March 15, 2017. On the Senate floor. dalton99a Jul 2018 #14
Wow, I missed that PatSeg Jul 2018 #19
I did too. Interesting. dameatball Jul 2018 #36
yes indeed . MBS Jul 2018 #32
Would have been nice to have been hacked by a country that gives a hoot about their own citizens ck4829 Jul 2018 #5
He sounds like a Russian agent relogic Jul 2018 #6
If it walks like a duck... n/t Eyeball_Kid Jul 2018 #8
Senator Dipshit Liberalagogo Jul 2018 #9
Bingo dalton99a Jul 2018 #10
Exacto relogic Jul 2018 #12
I hope you're being sarcastic... AZ8theist Jul 2018 #23
The repubs hack elections, and they conspired with the ruskies this time... Sancho Jul 2018 #13
We all kill foreign leaders, ok for Trump to conspire with Russia poisoning Kamala Harris? Cicada Jul 2018 #16
Iran, Congo, the DR, Guatemala, Brazil, S. Vietnam, Chile--viewed illegitimate leaders by countrymen TheBlackAdder Jul 2018 #17
Putin is illegitimate. YOHABLO Jul 2018 #49
No country has interfered in more elections amcgrath Jul 2018 #18
Thus, you give cover to American traitors? paleotn Jul 2018 #27
Ames Marthe48 Jul 2018 #40
Yep.... paleotn Jul 2018 #56
Whataboutism. It may be a-ok with you and Rand that Putin elected Trump but it isn't w the rest of emulatorloo Jul 2018 #34
I'd like to point out that Americans Marthe48 Jul 2018 #41
I hate to say it, but elmac Jul 2018 #20
If karma is real, then I'd say then we do deserve it ansible Jul 2018 #25
I don't deserve Donald Trump. emulatorloo Jul 2018 #35
Fuck you, Rand Paul. milestogo Jul 2018 #21
This is a whisker away from an admission to the scope of the knowledge EarthFirst Jul 2018 #22
Is that a Trey Gowdy 'we' or a Peter Strzok 'we'? GeorgeGist Jul 2018 #24
Yet another traitor.... paleotn Jul 2018 #26
As a child MacKasey Jul 2018 #28
There is some truth in that we do it too. BUT, that doesn't mean we have to accept the results Hoyt Jul 2018 #29
EXACTLY. n/t MBS Jul 2018 #33
Rand wouldn't be using that excuse if the Russians if they had helped Clinton n/t TexasBushwhacker Jul 2018 #43
I don't know enough about computers to comment on hacking. Cold War Spook Jul 2018 #30
Someone needs to check Comrade Paul's financials. Vinca Jul 2018 #31
Fuck that guy. Tactical Peek Jul 2018 #37
No you dimwit, this isn't about just "spying" LiberalLovinLug Jul 2018 #38
They don't threaten our infrastructure..moron.. Maxheader Jul 2018 #39
Seriously, Rand, stop talking. We all do it. Initech Jul 2018 #42
Clearly Paul is speaking only for himself and his fellow GOP traitors, Nitram Jul 2018 #44
So you're admitting your neighbor's punching you was justified, correct? 😬 n/t Julian Englis Jul 2018 #45
WOW - just frickin WOW! BadGimp Jul 2018 #46
Rand Paul, just another traitorous lying cheating Russian repug. lark Jul 2018 #48
I didn't do it. The CIA does it. And that's a fact. But they do it covertly in my name. YOHABLO Jul 2018 #50
Is someone worried? Soxfan58 Jul 2018 #51
Beneficiary of espionage and electoral fraud says what? unblock Jul 2018 #52
Spying on other countries is one thing. Sophia4 Jul 2018 #53
OK Rand, so all this time FM123 Jul 2018 #54
Meaning he was involved in hacking the 2016 election. Kablooie Jul 2018 #55
oh how I would love for his dirty ass to go to jail demtenjeep Jul 2018 #57

Corgigal

(9,291 posts)
1. Mueller team grabs another
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:35 AM
Jul 2018

folder from the staples box, fill in Rand Paul financial. With a photo of his ass kicking on the cover, because we got to keep morale up.

bmpbmp

(310 posts)
2. Pathetic attitude from one who took an oath to defend us
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:35 AM
Jul 2018

Someone could use similar reasoning to dismiss the 911 attacks. Just disgusting.

Eyeball_Kid

(7,410 posts)
7. Invariably, the answer is "yes."
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:44 AM
Jul 2018

The GOP got millions from Russians during the 2016 campaigns, and for certain, Paul's colleague, McConnell, received over a million bucks from a Russian oligarch. Paul is trying to protect his own.

marble falls

(56,358 posts)
15. And you know if Kentucky got it, almost everywhere else got it, too.....Remember how ...
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 10:10 AM
Jul 2018

outraged the GOP got when it thought a rogue fund raiser for Clinton got some money from South Koreans, around $200,000?

Or this:

The GOP practically spun in circles over this with the Chinese trying to funnel money to Clinton and no one even tried to interfere with the election directly as the Russians did.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_United_States_campaign_finance_controversy

Don't get me wrong. I do not want foreign money put into that huge pile of cash floating aroung in a national or local US election. I don't want corporate cash put into states they don't operate in just to buy a legislator or two, either.

ck4829

(34,977 posts)
5. Would have been nice to have been hacked by a country that gives a hoot about their own citizens
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:39 AM
Jul 2018

Since we all do it.

Our current "if you get sick and can't pay, just die quickly" regime is because Russia's government is on the same wavelength.

relogic

(155 posts)
6. He sounds like a Russian agent
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:42 AM
Jul 2018

This logical, reasoning and apologetics for undermining our democracy has reached a normalization that’s hard to endure for clear-thinking Americans. Too few of us left, I fear.

relogic

(155 posts)
12. Exacto
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:52 AM
Jul 2018

If Hillary, Barry or the elite Hollywood (excluding fox and has been actors,celeb cheerleaders) then we alert the media and Congress and jail all pronounced, lib-moderate personalities.

Such is the reason to despise these cheats for their false principles.

Sancho

(9,065 posts)
13. The repubs hack elections, and they conspired with the ruskies this time...
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:52 AM
Jul 2018

...and Rand Paul was on tape acknowledging that he KNEW tRump and other GOPers were stealing info. He's a crook.

Cicada

(4,533 posts)
16. We all kill foreign leaders, ok for Trump to conspire with Russia poisoning Kamala Harris?
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 10:21 AM
Jul 2018

We need to protect ourselves even tho we attack others.

We do bad things but we still need to protect our nation from others doing bad things to us.

TheBlackAdder

(28,075 posts)
17. Iran, Congo, the DR, Guatemala, Brazil, S. Vietnam, Chile--viewed illegitimate leaders by countrymen
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 10:29 AM
Jul 2018

.

Nice try, Rand.

Trump is illegitimate too, you fuck!

===

Iran: The Shah of Iran
Congo: CIA assisted in assassination of Patrice Lumumba, leading to Congolese President Joseph Kasavubu.
The Dominican Republic: Assassination of Rafael Trujillo, though he was a brutal dictator. Puppet replacement.
Guatemala: Coup of President Jacobo Árbenz, leading to a succession of military juntas.
Brazil: CIA coup of Brazilian President Joao Goulart, military government until 1985.
S. Vietnam: Assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem, through he cracked down on Bhuddists. Puppet replacement.
Chile: Economic fuckery, Coup of Salvador Allende, installing Gen. Augusto Pinochet.

.

amcgrath

(397 posts)
18. No country has interfered in more elections
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 10:32 AM
Jul 2018

Than the United States.

They have also been involved in political assassinations and dozens of coups in South America alone.

Their actions in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya could also be seen as overstepping.

paleotn

(17,781 posts)
27. Thus, you give cover to American traitors?
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 12:05 PM
Jul 2018

Nice.

On edit.... Since "we all do it", I guess your going to apologize for this guy too....



Or maybe this guy.....




In short, and I don't give a rats shit if this gets hidden, you disgust me.

emulatorloo

(43,982 posts)
34. Whataboutism. It may be a-ok with you and Rand that Putin elected Trump but it isn't w the rest of
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 12:47 PM
Jul 2018

us. It is certainly not ok with us that Americans in Trump’s orbit aided and abetted Putin in undermining elections.

Marthe48

(16,692 posts)
41. I'd like to point out that Americans
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 02:10 PM
Jul 2018

Last edited Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:42 PM - Edit history (1)

don't like it when people in the gorvernment try to topple other governments. Remember Nixon getting booed in Central America? Remember the riots in the 60s? The anti-war demonstrations? Laws regulating covert operations? I am not naive. The covert destruction goes on with or without laws. When the government or rogues like north go too far, the people speak.

I am hoping that we are close to tipping a majority of Americans who will say "enough!" on this attack on our own country.

Resist must become a national offensive, not just the one-sided defence of the woke.

 

elmac

(4,642 posts)
20. I hate to say it, but
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 11:21 AM
Jul 2018

we do have a long history of destroying more Democracies then building them.

https://beastrabban.wordpress.com/2017/02/18/blums-list-of-country-in-which-us-has-interfered-with-their-elections/


But, that doesn't mean we deserve this or should just let it happen. Our past and present actions are because of big money controlling our government. Corporate interests. When a country attacks us, it is war. When are own government lets it happen, it is treason and they should all be punished for it. First elections, then the most severer punishment on the books.

emulatorloo

(43,982 posts)
35. I don't deserve Donald Trump.
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 12:47 PM
Jul 2018

Nor do the rest of US citizens, especially the most vulnerable among us.

It is Putin and Trump that deserve punishment.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
29. There is some truth in that we do it too. BUT, that doesn't mean we have to accept the results
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 12:27 PM
Jul 2018

when done to us, especially if Americans helped the Ruskies.

That's where the treason lies -- helping the Ruskies intervene in our election. I'm sure Putin would take action against any Russian citizen who helped Americans or others work against Putin.

Nor, should we not develop a strong cyber defense system just as if it were nuclear defense.

 

Cold War Spook

(1,279 posts)
30. I don't know enough about computers to comment on hacking.
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 12:37 PM
Jul 2018

I do know that after learning Russian, I spent the next 2 1/2 years spying on Russian troop movements within the Warsaw Pact.

LiberalLovinLug

(14,154 posts)
38. No you dimwit, this isn't about just "spying"
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 01:43 PM
Jul 2018

He tries to obscure the actual crime of not just spying, but actively working to derail and influence the election through social media, and hacking of computers.

lark

(23,003 posts)
48. Rand Paul, just another traitorous lying cheating Russian repug.
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 04:03 PM
Jul 2018

Sorry, asshole, there's a law and it was sure used heavily against the Clinton's but now that it's your traitorous party getting caught with smelly nasty illegalities, well, the shoe is so on the other foot. Asshole!!!!

 

YOHABLO

(7,358 posts)
50. I didn't do it. The CIA does it. And that's a fact. But they do it covertly in my name.
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 07:04 PM
Jul 2018

Doesn't make it right, but what power do I have in stopping it? Ask Dr.Kissinger .. he'll back me up.

unblock

(51,974 posts)
52. Beneficiary of espionage and electoral fraud says what?
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 07:10 PM
Jul 2018

Why do the cheaters even get airtime to excuse their cheating?

 

Sophia4

(3,515 posts)
53. Spying on other countries is one thing.
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 07:11 PM
Jul 2018

Publishing the materials that you capture in your spying, publishing them in order to influence the outcome of an election, whether you actually influence that outcome or not, is quite another.

It's wrong.

And a country that hacks e-mails and then arranges to get them published so as to influence the outcome of our election is not just a competitor, it has made itself an enemy of our democracy and therefore an enemy of our country.

We should not do that sort of thing. No country should.

I don't think we have done that in a long time. If we have, please respond to my e-mail and explain the circumstances.

FM123

(10,050 posts)
54. OK Rand, so all this time
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 07:57 PM
Jul 2018

we thought the republicans were tolerating, enabling and covering for trumpy because there was an R before his name so they were willing to put up with anything because they didn't want women to have abortions or gays to marry or guns to be confiscated or blah blah blah but REALLY it was because they were russian dirty too???

 

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)
57. oh how I would love for his dirty ass to go to jail
Sun Jul 15, 2018, 09:34 PM
Jul 2018

he would think the neighbor spat was child's play

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Rand Paul on Russian elec...