It is now beyond doubt that Vladimir Putin’s cyber troops contaminated the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. Under any other Presidential Administration that would have been treated as nothing short of an Act of War against the United States.
Under the ironic banner of Make America Great Again Americans who were poisoned by Russia’s undercover propaganda campaign refuse to accept the fact that they were caught up in a cyber-Pearl Harbor attack executed by Comrade Putin. The result of that invasion was that it installed a shady, greedy, lecherous businessman, who is deep in both financial and (now) political debt to Russia, as President of the United States. What could be better for Vladimir?
After great subterfuge involving social media, the attack triggered classic shock and awe on Election Night. America never expected the results. The coordinated attack was so surgical that it took aim at Electoral College votes rather than the popular vote, which Trump still refuses to concede he lost by millions of votes.
Now, nearly a year and a half later, the truth has pretty much surfaced, the President and his followers remain in denial, and America has done virtually nothing to retaliate for these attacks or to defend against them happening again.
Just ask the Director of the Defense Department’s National Security Agency:
“Adm. Michael S. Rogers, the head of the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, made some pretty blunt statements to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Rogers acknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putin probably believes he’s paid “little price” for the interference and thus hasn’t stopped. He also said flatly that Trump has not granted him any new authorities to strike at Russian cyber-operations….
Summarizing what he’d heard in Roger’s testimony, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) said, “ …essentially, we have not taken on the Russians yet. We’re watching them intrude on our elections, spread misinformation, become more sophisticated, try to achieve strategic objectives that you [Adml. Rogers] have recognized, and we’re just essentially sitting back and waiting.”
Washington Post: February 27, 2018
Why is President Trump still doing nothing about the Russian cyber incursion?
Undermining a presidential election is no minor offense. Many of the best military minds in the country predicted years ago that our next major war would be a cyber war. Our military has prepared long and well for that; all the President has to do is release the hounds. In light of that, Trump’s “leadership” on this issue makes absolutely no sense, in fact, it is probably a serious dereliction of his presidential duty. We are already a year-and-a-half behind in terms of what should have been done. Why has Trump virtually sabotaged our military’s mission to protect America?
Either The Donald is afraid of the Russians or he owes his allegiance to them. He’s incredibly self-serving, but I don’t think he’s a coward. Even if, as he claims, he wasn’t in collusion with Valdimir before the election, it looks like he is now. Why else would he ignore the Russian attack by tying back our military’s hands?
Let’s add another log on that fire.
Against the strident advice of nearly all in government and commerce, Republicans and Democrats alike, Donald J. Trump, the President of the United States, unilaterally announced that he will place a substantial trade tariff on imported steel and aluminum, ostensibly to fulfill an ill advised “America First” campaign promise. The tariff may breathe life into this manufacturing sector for a while, but it is sure to raise prices on steel and aluminum that will inflate the operating costs of American and global businesses that use these products. They in turn will pass on those price increases to consumers – you and me.
What countries will be most adversely affected by the import tariff?
Russia ? No.
How ‘bout China? No.
Well if not them, who are the targets of Trumps tariff? In a nutshell, that would be most of our largest trading partners, a.k.a. our allies.
Canada? Pardon in 11th hour might yet be revoked. Damage to our relationship done by melodrama nonetheless.
Mexico? Ditto Canada.
What about the European Union? Oh yeah, they’re really ticked off.
Australia? Definitely!
South Korea must be exempt, right? They’re not, at least not yet.
Analysts and other folks with brains predict that if not altered before imposed, Trump’s Tariff will ignite a Trade War, not with our enemies but with our allies! (e.g. Putin’s enemies).
Brilliant Donald. You ignore malicious and damaging cyber attacks from Russia and then declare war on our allies. Your Vietnamese-manufactured red hats should have read “Let’s Destroy America’s Leadership of the Free World.” Apparently that’s what your America First mantra has been about all along.
Could it be that the antics of the current President’s Administration are more aligned with Vladimir Putin’s objectives in America than with American best interests and (dare I bring them up) ideals?
Certainly Putin has never been happier. He ought to have forgiven at least some of Trump’s personal/business loans by now.
The Red Hats will never accept the truth about whose national interests Trump really serves.
But the rest of us know.
Blowin' My Own Horn 