What did the Russians actually do in 2016? (1 Viewer)

[MT15]

I’ve seen the Russian influence on the 2016 election being dismissed and downplayed by our Conservatives on this board. Then I saw this today. It’s a really good look at the types of things they were doing and how they affected voting patterns.

After Russian trolls target black Americans, one city fights back — The Christian Science Monitor

Black activists point to a long history of people interfering with African Americans’ right to vote. In 2016, that meddling came from overseas.

apple.news

Relevant quote:


“About two-thirds of Russian activity on Facebook and other social media platforms seeking to influence the 2016 election was aimed at black Americans, according to a new Senate Intelligence Committee report. And at least one of the Moscow-linked trolls was focusing on Charlotte.

The internet campaign appeared designed to convince African Americans, who traditionally favor Democrat candidates, that it was not worth voting – at least not for Hillary Clinton. It was built on false messages such as “HILLARY RECEIVED $20,000 DONATION FROM KKK FOR HER CAMPAIGN.”

It is impossible to gauge the campaign’s precise impact. But in 2016, African American voter turnout was 7% lower than in 2012, the largest such drop on record. It was even steeper in North Carolina, one of the six swing states in which President Donald Trump eked out narrow victories en route to winning the Electoral College.”

I think it’s important for everyone to realize what was done in 2016 and not speak dismissively about it. In 2016 the Russians may have enabled Trump to win, but they could decide tomorrow that a Sanders victory or a Warren victory would better suit their goals of dividing the country and causing turmoil. And the lack of due diligence from the current Administration will have been largely responsible.

I wish our elected representatives, particularly in the Senate, would quit being afraid of offending Trump’s ego and get serious about what the Russians did. It’s hard to imagine them doing that, however, when they are following Trump’s lead and parroting Russian intelligence disinformation.

 

[Taurus]

I would like everyone here, especially our Republican brethren, to picture the following.
In 2020 a Democrat ekes out a narrow victory on Election Day.
Before he or she can be sworn in, however, irrefutable proof of Russian interference comes to light. Interference that helped them to win.
What happens next?

How bad will it get? Riots in the streets? Full on civil war?

 

[JimEverett]

I’ve seen the Russian influence on the 2016 election being dismissed and downplayed by our Conservatives on this board. Then I saw this today. It’s a really good look at the types of things they were doing and how they affected voting patterns.

After Russian trolls target black Americans, one city fights back — The Christian Science Monitor

Black activists point to a long history of people interfering with African Americans’ right to vote. In 2016, that meddling came from overseas.

apple.news

Relevant quote:


“About two-thirds of Russian activity on Facebook and other social media platforms seeking to influence the 2016 election was aimed at black Americans, according to a new Senate Intelligence Committee report. And at least one of the Moscow-linked trolls was focusing on Charlotte.

The internet campaign appeared designed to convince African Americans, who traditionally favor Democrat candidates, that it was not worth voting – at least not for Hillary Clinton. It was built on false messages such as “HILLARY RECEIVED $20,000 DONATION FROM KKK FOR HER CAMPAIGN.”

It is impossible to gauge the campaign’s precise impact. But in 2016, African American voter turnout was 7% lower than in 2012, the largest such drop on record. It was even steeper in North Carolina, one of the six swing states in which President Donald Trump eked out narrow victories en route to winning the Electoral College.”

I think it’s important for everyone to realize what was done in 2016 and not speak dismissively about it. In 2016 the Russians may have enabled Trump to win, but they could decide tomorrow that a Sanders victory or a Warren victory would better suit their goals of dividing the country and causing turmoil. And the lack of due diligence from the current Administration will have been largely responsible.

I wish our elected representatives, particularly in the Senate, would quit being afraid of offending Trump’s ego and get serious about what the Russians did. It’s hard to imagine them doing that, however, when they are following Trump’s lead and parroting Russian intelligence disinformation.

So, if they spent about 2/3 of their money that would be, what, at most $10 million or so?

That is not even a dent in the amount of money Clinton put into her campaign. Not even a dent into what Clinton spent on GOTV efforts. The Democrats had 520 paid staffers in Florida alone. Why do you think $10 million or so in Facebook posts has some enormous effect?

 

[Farb]

I would like everyone here, especially our Republican brethren, to picture the following.
In 2020 a Democrat ekes out a narrow victory on Election Day.
Before he or she can be sworn in, however, irrefutable proof of Russian interference comes to light. Interference that helped them to win.
What happens next?

How bad will it get? Riots in the streets? Full on civil war?

I would guess the vast majority of Repubs would just complain about it. Some would have a meltdown and pressure their reps in congress to carry on investigations that will lead to impeachment and the creation of a #resist movement.

 

[Beach Friends]

I’ve seen the Russian influence on the 2016 election being dismissed and downplayed by our Conservatives on this board. Then I saw this today. It’s a really good look at the types of things they were doing and how they affected voting patterns.

After Russian trolls target black Americans, one city fights back — The Christian Science Monitor

Black activists point to a long history of people interfering with African Americans’ right to vote. In 2016, that meddling came from overseas.

apple.news

Relevant quote:


“About two-thirds of Russian activity on Facebook and other social media platforms seeking to influence the 2016 election was aimed at black Americans, according to a new Senate Intelligence Committee report. And at least one of the Moscow-linked trolls was focusing on Charlotte.

The internet campaign appeared designed to convince African Americans, who traditionally favor Democrat candidates, that it was not worth voting – at least not for Hillary Clinton. It was built on false messages such as “HILLARY RECEIVED $20,000 DONATION FROM KKK FOR HER CAMPAIGN.”

It is impossible to gauge the campaign’s precise impact. But in 2016, African American voter turnout was 7% lower than in 2012, the largest such drop on record. It was even steeper in North Carolina, one of the six swing states in which President Donald Trump eked out narrow victories en route to winning the Electoral College.”

I think it’s important for everyone to realize what was done in 2016 and not speak dismissively about it. In 2016 the Russians may have enabled Trump to win, but they could decide tomorrow that a Sanders victory or a Warren victory would better suit their goals of dividing the country and causing turmoil. And the lack of due diligence from the current Administration will have been largely responsible.

I wish our elected representatives, particularly in the Senate, would quit being afraid of offending Trump’s ego and get serious about what the Russians did. It’s hard to imagine them doing that, however, when they are following Trump’s lead and parroting Russian intelligence disinformation.

Unbelievable. The article points the finger at Russian trolls for the reaction to the Keith Scott shooting?

Whatever blame the Russians may have, they would have to be way down the list, following Keith Scott himself of course, Keith Scott's family, the American media, American social media, BLM, individuals posting videos erroneously claiming the police planted evidence.

 

[Archies Ghost]

I would like everyone here, especially our Republican brethren, to picture the following.
In 2020 a Democrat ekes out a narrow victory on Election Day.
Before he or she can be sworn in, however, irrefutable proof of Russian interference comes to light. Interference that helped them to win.
What happens next?

How bad will it get? Riots in the streets? Full on civil war?

After the past 3 years of pronouncements from the Democrats on this topic and since the evidence is irrefutable in this hypothetical scenario, I would expect the new Democrat president-elect to concede to the Republican candidate.

 

[GMRfellowtraveller]

After the past 3 years of pronouncements from the Democrats on this topic and since the evidence is irrefutable in this hypothetical scenario, I would expect the new Democrat president-elect to concede to the Republican candidate.

At least you acknowledge which party still has ethics - it’s a start at least

 

[crosswatt]

I'll just put this here...

 

[samiam5211]

The Russians just want us fighting each other and becoming more susceptible to radicalization.

Meddling in the election is just one point of attack. Bots on social media and other websites post lies intended to anger one side or the other and and our friends and family do the rest of the work, sharing and liking until it becomes credible by its notoriety alone.

They have us in a Chinese finger trap, so sure that the other side is wrong, we can’t help but give in to the urge to fight often enough to make the problem worse.

It’s a negative self-reinforcing feedback loop, and removing Trump isn’t going to reset it.

 

[Beach Friends]

The Russians just want us fighting each other and becoming more susceptible to radicalization.

Meddling in the election is just one point of attack. Bots on social media and other websites post lies intended to anger one side or the other and and our friends and family do the rest of the work, sharing and liking until it becomes credible by its notoriety alone.

They have us in a Chinese finger trap, so sure that the other side is wrong, we can’t help but give in to the urge to fight often enough to make the problem worse.

It’s a negative self-reinforcing feedback loop, and removing Trump isn’t going to reset it.

Removing Trump would only make things worse. How bad would it get? I don't know. It appears to me that rioting is really a far left activity these days. I know that statement will aggrivate some of my friends on the left, but that's my perception. Look at inauguration day 2016 for example. Heck, you can even see it brewing at Democratic event after Democratic event. Protestors making a scene at several of the Democratic debates. The Buttigieg event the other day that erupted in chaos and some mild violence. The CNN LGBTQ townhall with people grabbing the mic and the constant interruptions. Antifa vandalizing the Portland Democratic HQ.

I think we are fooling ourselves if we think that the Russians have brought us to this point. We need to be aware of what they are doing and shut them down. But, more importantly we need to teach our kids the values of the First Amendment and the necessity of respecting the rights of others to express their views even though we disagree with them.

 

[samiam5211]

Removing Trump would only make things worse. How bad would it get? I don't know. It appears to me that rioting is really a far left activity these days. I know that statement will aggrivate some of my friends on the left, but that's my perception. Look at inauguration day 2016 for example. Heck, you can even see it brewing at Democratic event after Democratic event. Protestors making a scene at several of the Democratic debates. The Buttigieg event the other day that erupted in chaos and some mild violence. The CNN LGBTQ townhall with people grabbing the mic and the constant interruptions. Antifa vandalizing the Portland Democratic HQ.

I think we are fooling ourselves if we think that the Russians have brought us to this point. We need to be aware of what they are doing and shut them down. But, more importantly we need to teach our kids the values of the First Amendment and the necessity of respecting the rights of others to express their views even though we disagree with them.

Yea man, I agree. The other side are the bad guys.

 

[Beach Friends]

Yea man, I agree. The other side are the bad guys.

Yeah man, I may be to the right of you but I think we can both consider the people I am talking about as being on the other side. Unless I have misread you, I definitely don't think you are the kind of man who would burn a limousine, owned and operated by an immigrant, simply because you were unhappy with the outcome of an election.

High five?

 

[Dragon]

Yeah man, I may be to the right of you but I think we can both consider the people I am talking about as being on the other side. Unless I have misread you, I definitely don't think you are the kind of man who would burn a limousine, owned and operated by an immigrant, simply because you were unhappy with the outcome of an election.

High five?

I asume the same goes for the "very fine people" who drives trucks through legally assembled protesters and killing people ?

 

[Dragon]

To know what we're up against (and no it is not only the US )

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/18/world/europe/russia-troll-factory.html

 

[samiam5211]

Yeah man, I may be to the right of you but I think we can both consider the people I am talking about as being on the other side. Unless I have misread you, I definitely don't think you are the kind of man who would burn a limousine, owned and operated by an immigrant, simply because you were unhappy with the outcome of an election.

High five?

Yea, the kids trashing Portland and the boys marching with tiki torches are two sides of the same coin. They are both unwitting agents to Putin.

When the rest of us fight with each other about it, we become part of the same problem.

 

[MT15]

So, if they spent about 2/3 of their money that would be, what, at most $10 million or so?

That is not even a dent in the amount of money Clinton put into her campaign. Not even a dent into what Clinton spent on GOTV efforts. The Democrats had 520 paid staffers in Florida alone. Why do you think $10 million or so in Facebook posts has some enormous effect?

First of all, I don’t think we have a clue how much money was spent. When you pay people to pretend to be activists and foment unrest from Russia, I don’t think that cost has been captured. It‘s a false and odd way to try to discredit something like this.

Read the quote. 2016 brought the highest drop in black voter participation on record. There were undoubtedly multiple factors, Republican voter suppression efforts among them. But you cannot just dismiss this highly targeted effort at smearing Clinton in the eyes of black voters as ineffective. Read the article, they were highly effective in fanning the flames in various cities. Leaders on both sides felt the effects.

Or alternatively just follow along with the narrative that you are currently following. Head firmly in sand, just deny, deny, deny.

 

[Archies Ghost]

At least you acknowledge which party still has ethics - it’s a start at least

That is so funny I collapsed from the hilarity.

 

[samiam5211]

That is so funny I collapsed from the hilarity.

You missed a good shot at a pun there.

Hillarity...