US Politics, February 2018: Our country was founded by geniuses, but it’s being run by idiots

that's why the trump campaign deputy manager is pleading guilty of "something", mr. president : )

The criminal complaint, Dowd said, “speaks for itself,” adding that, “I think the special counsel found the culprits. I think he did a good job. I think he did a hell of a job.”

Case closed!

whoops https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-lawyer-presidents-happy-mueller-indicted-13-russian-meddlers

Dowd said he was confident the president would be pleased with the news. “I’m sure he is happy,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of faith in Bob Mueller and his team and it makes you feel good when they do a good job. They got these bastards who tried to hurt the country.”

lmao

Hmm

Headline doesn’t reflect that Cordish is a close friend of Kushner https://t.co/ejdGKQ7FEL

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) February 16, 2018

I could be wrong but I’m pretty sure no one was indicted and plead guilty over Benghazi.

it's just lib benghazi, but I guess that's how american politics works

— Matt Bruenig (@MattBruenig) February 16, 2018

probably similar levels of import in the long run

what do you mean

it means benghazi had about as much to do w/ what ails america as russian meddling does

I.e. a lot.

Many things ail America, I'm proud to add two more.

I mean, if you're talking psychosis levels, sure! xp

many Americans unable to triage bullshit, a permanent problem it seems

Mad that Mike Flynn isn’t in a position of power but from the left.

Whatever that means, I can't parse it.

So it appears that today's indictments were a successful attempt to lull the administration into complacency (and perhaps a loosening of lips because, hey, double jeopardy!...right?) so Mueller can deliver the old one-two to the breadbasket when they least expect it.

Independent of any other prognostication, I am absolutely certain that Trump, for the moment, believes that the investigation is complete and that he is free and clear.

Simon do you regard "Russian meddling" outside the context of declining democracies and the ascent of supranational billionaires? Do you not believe that Putin's directive is to eat back into Europe and destabilize institutions that put a check on human rights? Are you more or less in agreement with Trump when during the campaign he dismissed Putin's despotism and murder with the claim that "we do it too, so what"?

the pleading indicting 13 (!) russians (!!) say this began in 2014. totally coincidentally, comrade combover announced in new hampshire in 2014 : )

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/952c91ad847c38691a52089c1473bd2b26880a1e/c=18-0-760-558&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2016/08/03/IAGroup/DesMoines/636058268698186167-Hillary-Clinton-float.jpg

$5000.

xp if so, I guess yeah this is a "lib benghazi"?

The US has its share of issues unrelated to Russian meddling, no doubt, but suggesting that its impact is on par with that of Benghazi is, uh, insane?

With all the indictments and pleas, I think this is still more of a beginnin-ghazi.

guys, guys America is already broke, stop being paranoid about ppl trying to fuck it up for good, you sound unhinged

Simon do you regard "Russian meddling" outside the context of declining democracies and the ascent of supranational billionaires? Do you not believe that Putin's directive is to eat back into Europe and destabilize institutions that put a check on human rights? Are you more or less in agreement with Trump when during the campaign he dismissed Putin's despotism and murder with the claim that "we do it too, so what"?

I don't particularly care about any of that tbh. like, yes, putin is an asshole and shadowy cabals of billionaires need to be guillotined down the line, but I'm concerned about the issues that can attract mass working-class (and below) political engagement, and Russia ain't it.

It will be pretty ironic when Russia wins, takes over America, and then gets caught in the crossfire of us shooting each other all the time and has to leave. #worsethanafghanistan

xp right, populating governments w/ oligarchs has no effect on the working class wtf

I'm sure Steve Mnuchin is in agreement

josh lol

iirc both major American parties are, currently, essentially oligarchies :)

You don't think Russian propaganda had an impact on political engagement?

there's no way donald trump will win the election

I think you don't know what an oligarchy is xp

You don't think Russian propaganda had an impact on political engagement?

Sure, but not nearly as much as broad - and very understandable - disillusionment with both major parties. (Or for that matter good old-fashioned gerrymandering)

a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution

aka "the donor class", what am I missing here

the two party system is a completely busted piece of shit comprised of the majority of Americans

Simon, it's baffling how I can simultaneously agree wholeheartedly with a point you make and wildly disagree with the conclusions you draw from the point you've made.

"comprised of" doing a lot of work there, being "part" of one of those parties is, for most of those people, an extremely passive set of acts xp

but I mean if you really think a significant # of americans are ever going to see material improvements in their lives without either a massive restructuring of Democratic party infrastructure or (heaven forbid) a viable third party - both of which require heretofore unseen levels of mobilization, whcih, again, Russiagate will never fuel - then good luck USA I guess!

where's the tax returns?

lmao

anyway I think that's exactly what the family of Anna Politkovskaya said after she was murdered, "god, Putin is such an asshole"

Sure, but not nearly as much as broad - and very understandable - disillusionment with both major parties.

Disillusionment with both major parties is one of their goals! Heard on the news today that Russian bots were pushing pro *and* con gun posts and arguments. They want to destabilize our country and encourage division. Rather than fight for a win they've decided to encourage us to lose, and they seem to be doing a pretty good job, the dicks.

love it when the accusation of Putin apologia comes out, it's a classic every time xp

You know what would make that goal much harder? Effective messaging and a winning program, which the Dems aren't providing.

an old chestnut

https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-campaign-staffers-pushed-russian-propaganda-days-before-the-election

none of these people knew that russia was involved! tax cuts!!

Russia investigation should be abandoned cause Joe the Plumber doesn't give a fuck, is that your basic argument here?

trump back at 40% (via gallup) for the first time since july 2017, btw
http://news.gallup.com/poll/201617/gallup-daily-trump-job-approval.aspx

No, by all means, keep the investigation going! But don't let it monopolize your attention and energy just cause the thought of Kushner in handcuffs is fun (which it is) xp

I literally haven't seen a single leftist argue for not investigating.