Joe K wrote: ↑Sun Jan 13, 2019 7:33 am
And frankly, with all due respect to people on this board, I find the theory that the Trump-Russia conspiracy goes back to the 1980s to be asinine. The USSR must’ve had a crystal ball or a time machine to plot the seeds of a decades-long conspiracy that could withstand the major subsequent political changes on both sides of the Atlantic, including you know,
the whole Fall of the Soviet Union. I would love to see the KGB memo hatching this plot:
“Our entire political system is on the verge of collapse, and the reorganization of our economy is about to be turned over to the West. In 5 years, there won’t even be a KGB. But let’s talk to this buffoonish real estate magnet about some hotel deals so that in the event that American politics destabilizes as a result of lost manufacturing jobs, endless wars, and crippling income inequality, we can make our move.”
I think it’s evident that Mueller is running a thorough investigation and I’ll change my mind if he actually charges any criminal conduct between Trump’s campaign and Russia. But, for all the breathless headlines and conspiracy theories, that hasn’t happened yet.
You are missing the greater point of how the Russians/Soviets used Trump. They didn't run an enormous campaign on one American businessman, they approached 100s, and I'm sure made deals and used dozens of others who were greedy enough to partner with them. Of course in the 1980s they had no idea Trump would eventually become President. Recent reporting shows they used Trump to push Soviet propaganda in newspapers. They used Trump's name to back paid advertorials pushing propaganda. They also used Trump properties to launder money. First people tied to the Soviet government, then Russian and Kazakhstani mafia, then Russian oligarchs tied to Putin, who are basically Russian mafia backed by the government. The Russians/Soviets operated by setting traps or enticing pretty much every rich or powerful American who ever went to Russia, just in case it could eventually come in use. Trump has been obsessed with putting a building in Moscow since the 1980s, and telling him he could put his name on the tallest building in Moscow? Of course that fed his ego and drove him.
Did you watch the Rachel Maddow videos someone posted up thread? Whether Trump understands it or not, he is peddling bizarre Russian propaganda. His comments about the Soviets being correct to invade Afghanistan because of terror attacks that never occurred? That is exactly the words Putin is using to rewrite history. His bizarre comments about Montenegrins being vicious people and liable to start WWIII? Straight out of Putin's propaganda to make NATO question partnering with more countries. I don't doubt Trump has no clue about the propaganda he is repeating for Putin, but he is pushing bizarre pro-Russia propaganda. Maybe it is as simple as Putin told him these things in their private meeting where Trump made the interpreter burn his notes and vow not to disclose anything discussed to any cabinet members, and Trump repeated this statement, because he knows nothing about anything, heard the reporter ask about Montenegro, and he repeated the only thing he ever heard about Montenegro. Even assuming all of the innocence on Trump, it is still shocking and extremely dangerous to have the US President repeating Putin's propaganda publicly.
At this point, it is certain that Trump continued working on a deal for Trump Tower Moscow long after he declared he was running for President. Rudy acknowledged Trump continued discussions in November 2016. Is this illegal? Maybe not, but it sure as fuck carries the appearance of impropriety, especially when Trump drastically altered the GOP platform to a suddenly pro-Russia position regarding the Ukraine, and Trump suddenly takes a ton of interest in repealing the Magnitsky Act sanctions. Keep in mind, Putin is very likely the richest man in the world, but most of his wealth is illegally obtained, and the Magnitsky Act sanctions froze Billions in assets belonging to Putin. Unless Putin pushed this on Trump, why else would Trump care about it?
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt