|
|
Post by abbey1227 on May 1, 2021 12:36:47 GMT
.......and it's intelligence agencies never lie.
Why Ron Johnson blew off FBI concerns about Russian disinformation
The FBI warned Ron Johnson last year that he was "a target of Russian disinformation." He thought the smart move would be to blow off the FBI's concerns.
April 30, 2021, 7:42 AM CDT By Steve Benen
According to a striking overnight report from the Washington Post, the FBI was concerned about a Russian influence operation targeting the U.S. 2020 presidential election, and as such, the bureau issued direct warnings to key players. For example, the FBI told Rudy Giuliani that he was a target of a Kremlin-backed scheme.
At face value, that may not seem especially surprising. After all, Donald Trump's lawyer partnered with an active Russian agent during the campaign. But this new reporting, if accurate, suggests the FBI told Giuliani the Kremlin intended to use him, and the former New York City mayor did not need heed the warnings. Indeed, Giuliani continued to peddle Russian disinformation anyway.
The same Post report added the bureau also warned One America News, a rabidly pro-Trump outlet, that it "faced a risk of being used to further Russia's attempt to influence the election's outcome."
But of particular interest from the reporting was the FBI's communications with one controversial Republican senator.
The FBI last summer also gave what is known as a defensive briefing to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), who ahead of the election used his perch as chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to investigate Biden's dealings with Ukraine while he was vice president and his son Hunter Biden held a lucrative seat on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.
The Wisconsin Republican acknowledged to the Washington Post that he received an FBI briefing last summer, "warning me that I was a target of Russian disinformation." Johnson added that he didn't take the warning seriously, finding the FBI's briefing "completely useless and unnecessary."
Let's take a moment to remember how we arrived at this point.
After years of indifference about Joe Biden's efforts in Ukraine, congressional Republicans decided -- right around the time the Delaware Democrat locked up his party's presidential nomination -- this was an area of potential controversy.
Johnson helped take the lead in the search for anti-Biden dirt, and a Russian agent claimed he fed information to Johnson. Asked last summer whether he'd possibly relied on information from Kremlin-backed sources, the Wisconsin Republican evaded direct questions.
What we didn't know at the time was that the FBI specifically alerted Johnson that he was "a target of Russian disinformation," but he questioned the value of the briefing.
In other words, the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee was targeted by the Kremlin, while the senator was seeking dirt on the future American president, and when the FBI warned him directly about what was transpiring, Ron Johnson thought the smart thing to do would be to blow off the FBI's concerns.
I realize that Johnson remains a sitting U.S. senator in good standing. I'm less sure why. Under normal circumstances, today would be the day in which other Republican senators started putting some distance between themselves and their beleaguered Wisconsin colleague.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prometheus on May 2, 2021 1:32:34 GMT
When we assume that everything is a lie, we ease the opportunities for others to manipulate us or we become staunch defenders of researching and finding the truth through provable facts. Unfortunately, many who think they have found "provable facts" have simply found whatever confirms their original bias.
Very few people are capable of living without bias and are therefore easily shouted down or simply ignored.
|
|
|
|
Post by abbey1227 on May 3, 2021 1:31:51 GMT
When we assume that everything is a lie, we ease the opportunities for others to manipulate us or we become staunch defenders of researching and finding the truth through provable facts. Unfortunately, many who think they have found "provable facts" have simply found whatever confirms their original bias. Very few people are capable of living without bias and are therefore easily shouted down or simply ignored.
Our news media used to at least try to appear unbiased just a few years ago.
Now it seems there's a direct line to draw between the US 'intelligence' community and the MSM.
News outlets including the Washington Post have retracted or amended reports claiming the FBI warned Giuliani he was the target of a Russian influence operation
Tom Porter Sun, May 2, 2021, 5:55 AM
Rudy Giuliani speaks during a news conference held by Donald Trump in the Briefing Room of the White House on September 27, 2020. Joshua Roberts/Getty Images
News outlets including the Washington Post retracted a claim about Rudy Giuliani.
Outlets retracted a claim that the FBI warned Giuliani he was being used to spread Russian disinformation.
Insider has amended its reporting in the light of the retraction.
The Washington Post and other news outlets have retracted a claim that the FBI warned Rudy Giuliani that he was likely being targetted as part of a Russian disinformation campaign in 2019.
In an editor's note the Post on Saturday said it was retracting a claim in a report Thursday that the FBI had warned both Giuliani and right-wing news network OANN about Russian efforts to use them to spread falsehoods.
It read: "Correction: An earlier version of this story, published Thursday, incorrectly reported that One America News was warned by the FBI that it was the target of a Russian influence operation. That version also said the FBI had provided a similar warning to Rudolph W. Giuliani, which he has since disputed. This version has been corrected to remove assertions that OAN and Giuliani received the warnings."
|
|
|
|
Post by Prometheus on May 3, 2021 1:56:45 GMT
When we assume that everything is a lie, we ease the opportunities for others to manipulate us or we become staunch defenders of researching and finding the truth through provable facts. Unfortunately, many who think they have found "provable facts" have simply found whatever confirms their original bias. Very few people are capable of living without bias and are therefore easily shouted down or simply ignored.
Our news media used to at least try to appear unbiased just a few years ago.
Now it seems there's a direct line to draw between the US 'intelligence' community and the MSM.
News outlets including the Washington Post have retracted or amended reports claiming the FBI warned Giuliani he was the target of a Russian influence operation
Tom Porter Sun, May 2, 2021, 5:55 AM
Rudy Giuliani speaks during a news conference held by Donald Trump in the Briefing Room of the White House on September 27, 2020. Joshua Roberts/Getty Images
News outlets including the Washington Post retracted a claim about Rudy Giuliani.
Outlets retracted a claim that the FBI warned Giuliani he was being used to spread Russian disinformation.
Insider has amended its reporting in the light of the retraction.
The Washington Post and other news outlets have retracted a claim that the FBI warned Rudy Giuliani that he was likely being targetted as part of a Russian disinformation campaign in 2019.
In an editor's note the Post on Saturday said it was retracting a claim in a report Thursday that the FBI had warned both Giuliani and right-wing news network OANN about Russian efforts to use them to spread falsehoods.
It read: "Correction: An earlier version of this story, published Thursday, incorrectly reported that One America News was warned by the FBI that it was the target of a Russian influence operation. That version also said the FBI had provided a similar warning to Rudolph W. Giuliani, which he has since disputed. This version has been corrected to remove assertions that OAN and Giuliani received the warnings."
Did they forget the word "allegedly"? That word DOES make a difference when it comes to libel laws. |
|
|
|
Post by abbey1227 on May 3, 2021 2:03:24 GMT
Did they forget the word "allegedly"? That word DOES make a difference when it comes to libel laws.
I'd guess not.
That word is usually reserved for the typical 'F-ing criminal' they're always bending over backwards to defend.  |
|
|
|
Post by Prometheus on May 3, 2021 2:40:58 GMT
Did they forget the word "allegedly"? That word DOES make a difference when it comes to libel laws.
I'd guess not.
That word is usually reserved for the typical 'F-ing criminal' they're always bending over backwards to defend. Actually, it's a legal standard they are supposed to follow to keep from getting sued... and to support the notion that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law... like it says in the US Constitution. |
|
|
|
Post by abbey1227 on May 3, 2021 2:53:44 GMT
Actually, it's a legal standard they are supposed to follow to keep from getting sued... and to support the notion that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law... like it says in the US Constitution.
Wow you really have been gone a long time.
That's been cast aside now |
|
|
|
Post by Prometheus on May 3, 2021 3:13:37 GMT
Actually, it's a legal standard they are supposed to follow to keep from getting sued... and to support the notion that everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law... like it says in the US Constitution.
Wow you really have been gone a long time.
That's been cast aside now I think you're thinking of the court of public opinion. |
|
|
|
Post by abbey1227 on May 3, 2021 3:40:35 GMT
Wow you really have been gone a long time.
That's been cast aside now I think you're thinking of the court of public opinion.
Do you trust the US Govt to be honest and forthright? to not abuse their power?
That's just knowing what you know about humans in general, by the way.
I've seen crossing guards get ridiculous. |
|
|
|
Post by Prometheus on May 4, 2021 2:02:33 GMT
I think you're thinking of the court of public opinion.
Do you trust the US Govt to be honest and forthright? to not abuse their power?
That's just knowing what you know about humans in general, by the way.
I've seen crossing guards get ridiculous. I don't trust anyone to be honest and forthright. It doesn't mean that they can't be.
Hence the sig
|
|
|
|
Post by abbey1227 on May 4, 2021 5:23:13 GMT
Do you trust the US Govt to be honest and forthright? to not abuse their power?
That's just knowing what you know about humans in general, by the way.
I've seen crossing guards get ridiculous. I don't trust anyone to be honest and forthright. It doesn't mean that they can't be.
Hence the sig
You should have went with the name Enigma instead of Equality.  |
|
|
|
Post by Prometheus on May 5, 2021 2:39:31 GMT
I don't trust anyone to be honest and forthright. It doesn't mean that they can't be.
Hence the sig
You should have went with the name Enigma instead of Equality. Why?
There's nothing hard to understand about me. ![[giveup]](//storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/FSYefibmKqtatIXMgHZg.gif) |
|
|
|
Post by abbey1227 on May 5, 2021 4:33:53 GMT
You should have went with the name Enigma instead of Equality. Why?
There's nothing hard to understand about me.
I disagree..........you often come off as being harder on humanity than even me in general.......and yet you're supportive of many collectivist notions?
Is it simply a matter of you coming from larger cities and feeling there's no other options but heavy handed rule and forced compliance? cuz people can't be trusted to be decent?
|
|
|
|
Post by Prometheus on May 5, 2021 6:46:29 GMT
Why?
There's nothing hard to understand about me.
I disagree..........you often come off as being harder on humanity than even me in general.......and yet you're supportive of many collectivist notions?
Is it simply a matter of you coming from larger cities and feeling there's no other options but heavy handed rule and forced compliance? cuz people can't be trusted to be decent?
Humanity IS a collective and I'm a fan of enlightened self-interest.
YOU hate the government. And since our government is "of the people" you tend to hate people that wouldn't do what you would do... even though you've never had to take care of anyone but yourself and a couple dogs.
You had to bootsrap your life as did I. The only difference is you aren't willing to lend a hand since you never got one whereas I would rather lend a so they don't have to endure what I did.
I think it would be great if people didn't have to worry about medical bills piling up. What's the sense of capitalism if only a few industries are able to make money?
I think it would be great if people could get the same quality education I got without having to pay tuition to private/parochial schools... or at least have the opportunity to get a great education worthy of their talents and skills. Private schools won't go away, but they're going to have to up their game. That's the very soul of capitalistic competition, isn't it?
I'm also a fan of taxing people to pay for those things because I can see a better (and very capitalistic) ROI for the US... and the world as a whole.
I'm harder on humanity because they think and speak in soundbites (critical theory) rather than think things through (critical thinking).
You offer tough love and are willing to let the chips fall where they may.
I offer tough love but (hopefully) with guidance to realizing something better than we have.
|
|
|
|
Post by abbey1227 on May 5, 2021 7:10:04 GMT
Humanity IS a collective and I'm a fan of enlightened self-interest.
YOU hate the government. And since our government is "of the people" you tend to hate people that wouldn't do what you would do... even though you've never had to take care of anyone but yourself and a couple dogs.
You had to bootsrap your life as did I. The only difference is you aren't willing to lend a hand since you never got one whereas I would rather lend a so they don't have to endure what I did.
I think it would be great if people didn't have to worry about medical bills piling up. What's the sense of capitalism if only a few industries are able to make money?
I think it would be great if people could get the same quality education I got without having to pay tuition to private/parochial schools... or at least have the opportunity to get a great education worthy of their talents and skills. Private schools won't go away, but they're going to have to up their game. That's the very soul of capitalistic competition, isn't it?
I'm also a fan of taxing people to pay for those things because I can see a better (and very capitalistic) ROI for the US... and the world as a whole.
I'm harder on humanity because they think and speak in soundbites (critical theory) rather than think things through (critical thinking).
You offer tough love and are willing to let the chips fall where they may.
I offer tough love but (hopefully) with guidance to realizing something better than we have.
I dispense advice.......but if people do not do as I do, that's fine. That's their right and freedom of choice.
I used to really hate just Govt......then I realized it was just a reflection of the people. Now I just seek to minimize that power & control.
I have lent a hand here and there. I do not repeat that offer to people who do not improve or resolve their issues. Seems like just enabling, imo.
I believe govt 'help' is what ruined healthcare.......especially in the Costs department.
Between libraries and the internet.......what CAN'T motivated people acquire these days? I think once you're able to read, the world is your educational oyster.
Why do private have to up their game? .........when the publics are not all that impressive?
Investment? I'm truly laughing at that suggestion. It's been a horrible ROI the past few decades, imo
Again, I think we're actually closer to agreeing than disagreeing.......... but the only way to realize something better is if people want and value something better. Most do not.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prometheus on May 6, 2021 3:00:24 GMT
Humanity IS a collective and I'm a fan of enlightened self-interest.
YOU hate the government. And since our government is "of the people" you tend to hate people that wouldn't do what you would do... even though you've never had to take care of anyone but yourself and a couple dogs.
You had to bootsrap your life as did I. The only difference is you aren't willing to lend a hand since you never got one whereas I would rather lend a so they don't have to endure what I did.
I think it would be great if people didn't have to worry about medical bills piling up. What's the sense of capitalism if only a few industries are able to make money?
I think it would be great if people could get the same quality education I got without having to pay tuition to private/parochial schools... or at least have the opportunity to get a great education worthy of their talents and skills. Private schools won't go away, but they're going to have to up their game. That's the very soul of capitalistic competition, isn't it?
I'm also a fan of taxing people to pay for those things because I can see a better (and very capitalistic) ROI for the US... and the world as a whole.
I'm harder on humanity because they think and speak in soundbites (critical theory) rather than think things through (critical thinking).
You offer tough love and are willing to let the chips fall where they may.
I offer tough love but (hopefully) with guidance to realizing something better than we have.
I dispense advice.......but if people do not do as I do, that's fine. That's their right and freedom of choice.
I used to really hate just Govt......then I realized it was just a reflection of the people. Now I just seek to minimize that power & control.
I have lent a hand here and there. I do not repeat that offer to people who do not improve or resolve their issues. Seems like just enabling, imo.
I believe govt 'help' is what ruined healthcare.......especially in the Costs department.
Between libraries and the internet.......what CAN'T motivated people acquire these days? I think once you're able to read, the world is your educational oyster.
Why do private have to up their game? .........when the publics are not all that impressive?
Investment? I'm truly laughing at that suggestion. It's been a horrible ROI the past few decades, imo
Again, I think we're actually closer to agreeing than disagreeing.......... but the only way to realize something better is if people want and value something better. Most do not.
1. That's fine, as long as you realize that your advice might not work for anybody but yourself.
2. The problem is that you can't help but see everything the government does as "control."
3. And people have tried to help you, I'm sure. Out of curiosity, did you and the missus receive stimulus checks? Did you cash them or send them back because you don't want to be controlled by the government and because you are able to take care of yourselves?
4. Yes and no. Medicare for all was going to be a reality and Nixon put a stop to it by getting into bed with the insurance companies and signing the HMO Act of '73.
5. My father used to say the same thing (without the internet part). Unfortunately, my father tended to believe everything he read that was presented as truth: Ancient Aliens... The Bible... Aliens in The Bible.... And like you, when confronted with new facts, he would just dig in and hold true to whatever his original premise was. And just to be clear, Dad was a lifelong Democrat and union man.
6. I said, if the public schools all became as good as private schools, then the private schools would have to up their game to stay competitive. Maybe you should move to China and attend some English classes with me so that you can understand tenses. My 10-year-olds will help you.
7. And this is where we agree about mismanagement but then diverge again about how to bring about proper management.
8. Thank you for using the word, "value." I think people do "value" certain things as highly as they should - such as a good education - but they don't really know what a good education looks like except when they feel belittled by a person (who received a good education) seemingly talking down to them and patronizing them. This leads to feelings of wanting a better education for themselves and a worse one for those who might have access to the best.
This is "crab mentality." You may have heard of it before, but let me explain if you haven't: If you put a bunch of crabs in a bucket and one tries to climb out, the others will grab its legs and pull it back down.
You might be thinking, "Aha! The collective mob holding down the individual!" and feel a sort of vindication for your thinking. But now let's look at ants - one of the most communal of animals: If they are stuck in a bucket, they will create chains. They pull each other up and even let their compatriots climb over them to freedom.
You say, "Collectivism is bad!" and I say, "Bad collectivism is bad."
Don't get me wrong, I still value the individual, but I think that each individual should be working in some way for the betterment of the collective. That's what skill differentiation is all about. Just ask anyone who has ever played a team sport: not everyone is cut out to be the quarterback.
In a complex society governed by (even without realizing it) a very basic social contract, there needs to be a hierarchy and it is presumed by the social contract that those who have been given power will use that power to the benefit of the entire collective. When that doesn't (or often can't) happen, you end up with factions... a movement back to simpler tribal conditions.
In the case of "doesn't happen," then the collective will want a change to the hierarchy. If the new hierarchy still doesn't deliver then we're back to square one and we get stuck in a maladaptive loop.
In the case of "can't happen" the biggest problem is getting everyone to understand why not. In a "best case scenario" this might spur some of the individuals to figure out a way that it CAN happen. Once that has been achieved, then it's all about getting the rest of the collective on board again.
Humans live in an extremely complex societal structure which seems to have forgotten the underlying social contract in the first place.
Oh yeah. What is this basic social contract: Work together. Succeed (survive) together.
|
|
![[giveup]](http://storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/FSYefibmKqtatIXMgHZg.gif)
![[cheers]](http://storage.proboards.com/7182076/images/engyBVslEdpmpmdnBwZQ.gif)
