Make Russia Great Again

[Dill]

(02-24-2020, 05:29 PM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: Belsnickel Wrote: So yes or no, do you think our intelligence community should look for ways to combat the interference in our elections by foreign nations?
Second question, also yes or no, do you think that Trump seeking to downplay this foreign influence that is working to help his re-election is a concerning situation for our democracy?

Shouldn't they have already been working on that or have figured it out by now? Trump's election was not the first time with outsiders (or specifically Russians) trying to influence the voters.

Why wouldn't he downplay it? I believe the impact was fairly minimal. Most voters already had decided. Also I think the Media did more to try to influence voters than Russia did. Even Comey hurt Hills campaign more than Russia did. But I said it back then, and will say it again, Hills pandered to the wrong crowd. Agree or dis-agree?

I believe that Bels, like many of the rest of us, thinks that the intel community HAS figured it out. The Russians interfered in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump. They are preparing to do the same in the 2020 election.  The problem is, Trump does not agree. He is doing the opposite of leading on the issue of national security by punishing people who sound the alarm. Mitch McConnell, with the President's blessing, is currently blocking legislation which would protect elections from foreign meddling. https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/14/politics/mcconnell-election-security/index.html

You say "Most voters already had decided"--the question is whether Russian trolls helped them to their decision. And also whether the release of DNC emails influenced people's decisions, and whether we can expect similar tactics again. Less than 80,000 votes in 4 states decided the election. The timely release of fake news can certainly determine an election, especially when so many are so bad at telling real from fake.

Further, it looks like Russians were able to hack into voting machines in most every state. How do we know they can't do that again and with greater effect?

When you say we have no right to "whine" about Russian interference, people are justified in wondering if you think we should just let it happen, not try to protect ourselves, for that would be "whining." 

The question, again, is whether you think we should defend ourselves or not? You have not answered it.