world

Trump praises Putin for not expelling U.S. diplomats

107 Comments
By JOSH LEDERMAN and NATALIYA VASILYEVA

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

107 Comments
Login to comment

Trump is a disaster and he hasn't even been inaugurated yet. God help us.

8 ( +26 / -18 )

Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart! 2:41 PM - 30 Dec 2016

Can it be possible that Trump has gone even farther overboard than even his deepest previous depths of idiocy and treason?

He is going to pay for this idiotic tweet.

13 ( +25 / -12 )

How long can the Trump supporters resist joining in on the praise? My guess is...not veey long.

9 ( +19 / -10 )

Trump will actually bring cool-headed maturity to the White House.

With less than 24 hours to go, we have a contender for best joke of 2016.

27 ( +37 / -10 )

The denial goes so far that those who support Trump's campaign to make America great again don't seem to mind that the Russians meddle in US elections. They blame Obama instead. This is a bad case of cognitive dissonance. But the truth is that right-wing authoritarians, such as they, can live with total inconsistency and contradiction. They can think out of both sides of their mouths at the same time.

16 ( +23 / -7 )

Barrack Hussein Obama gets out-maneuvered again by the great Russian leader Putin.

-21 ( +11 / -32 )

Obama is a petty little man. Well played, Mr. Putin, well played. That was classy of you.

-23 ( +10 / -33 )

The Trump States of America (new brand name) and Russia make an interesting pairing. The US has the bigger military, soon to be expanded by the incoming president, and the stronger economy.

For how long the economy will be stronger nobody knows especially when the incoming president says (I know, always take what he says with lots of salt) he's going to increase the war budget AND ramp up the nuke race.

Russia, on the other hand, has a much stronger leader, a man who's used his political position to become a lot richer than Trump. A difference is Putin didn't inherit a fortune from his daddy; he earned it the old fashioned way by robbing the Russian people and their resources, which is apparently what Trump wants to learn to do better.

Given the impending PutinTrump dyad, and given their respective histories of megalomania, it seems likely that eventually Russia's going to be the clear winner of this partnership. Soon the dyad will fade away and Czar Putin will rule the western world. Source: fake news received via my fillings, a source perhaps similar to the fake news the 'it's an MSM plot I tell ya', 'Obama was born in Kenya', (among others) fake news spreaders rely on.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

How long can the Trump supporters resist joining in on the praise? My guess is...not veey long.

You know there is no concrete evidence of Russia tampering and meddling in our election or even if he did, to what extent. I don't think Obama was particularly out of line for sanctioning them, but I just wish he took the same hardline approach with Iran, China and Assad. But now Putin retaliates by not stooping to the same level and in the process gets praise from Trump making Obama look like undisciplined child. You can be firm, but be fair until you have all the facts supporting the allegations, at this point, Obama looks petty. They know Obama has a few weeks left in the WH so why even bother with him.

-13 ( +11 / -24 )

You know there is no concrete evidence of Russia tampering and meddling in our election or even if he did, to what extent

No, none of us can know that, unless we have posters here who are in the FBI or high levels of US government.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

I don't know if we'll ever know what motivates Trump's relationship with Putin. Could be a lot of reasons. Maybe he just sees Putin differently than most of the Western world. Maybe its financial. Maybe he genuinely likes and respects the guy. Who knows?

But there is definitely a relationship there. Trump just pinned his praise of Putin to the top of his Twitter feed to spread his message to the entire world. Getting control of the narrative is a priority for him, and that narrative is a very flattering image of Putin.

We can probably expect him to undercut the FBI and CIA reports after he meets with them next week. It won't be difficult since he doesn't have to go into anything technical other than saying he doesn't believe the CIA and FBI. I doubt he would let 35 accused spies back in but he probably would agree to 35 new staffers. Maybe Russia will get 2 new pieces of property to relace the others.

In the end he's president so we can't stop him from doing any of the above. And he really doesn't have to give any reason. We might want to start accepting the fact that our President is going to become very close and friendly with Vladaimir Putin, and a large chunk of Americans seem willing to go along with it.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

Foreigners have a tendency to underestimate the remote Russians, as Napoleon and Hitler famously did, so yet again it looks like the hapless Trump is setting himself up for Putin's pool hall hustle. If we use the chess game analogy, some people may think that Obama's move was played against Putin, but it looks more like a crafty kibitzer from a lame-duck president thinking several moves ahead to force Trump (aka the Republicans) into an awkward zugzwang position not only in the game with Putin, but also in the game with the CIA, FBI and the national security community when Trump, the intellectually-challenged checkers chump, takes over the "Game of Kings" next year. Well played Obama!

5 ( +11 / -6 )

I don't know if we'll ever know what motivates Trump's relationship with Putin. Could be a lot of reasons. Maybe he just sees Putin differently than most of the Western world. Maybe its financial. Maybe he genuinely likes and respects the guy. Who knows?

Maybe he thinks the same way Obama was thinking about our relationship with Cuba and the policies that just weren't working and Trump wanted to take the same approach and try something different.

But there is definitely a relationship there. Trump just pinned his praise of Putin to the top of his Twitter feed to spread his message to the entire world. Getting control of the narrative is a priority for him, and that narrative is a very flattering image of Putin.

So what's the difference of Obama trying to patch up our relations with Cuba, but the left wants to demonize Trump's relationship with Moscow? 4 years ago, Obama said, we had nothing to fear from Russia, that's what he said to Romney, the Russians want their foreign policy back.

We can probably expect him to undercut the FBI and CIA reports after he meets with them next week. It won't be difficult since he doesn't have to go into anything technical other than saying he doesn't believe the CIA and FBI. I doubt he would let 35 accused spies back in but he probably would agree to 35 new staffers. Maybe Russia will get 2 new pieces of property to relace the others.

Maybe the left need to take some time off, take a deep breath, relax and come back down to Earth and understand this is all nonsense thinking from the left.

In the end he's president so we can't stop him from doing any of the above. And he really doesn't have to give any reason.

I couldn't agree more, finally the left are coming to their senses.

-15 ( +6 / -21 )

If, media sources are to be believed, Russia is one of the most Nuclear prepared nations of the world. Would it not behoove any President of the U.S., if peace is what should be sought after, to first exhaust all diplomacy before ousting Russian peoples from their Embassy's? Obama, in his last days as President is attempting to do the impossible....namely, to inflict more damage to the U.S. in his last month in office, then he has done in the previous 8 years.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

We can probably expect him to undercut the FBI and CIA reports after he meets with them next week.

Dunno about that, SuperLib. Obama's sanctions have generated strong GOP support in both the Senate and the House - these guys are willing to overlook a lot in order to get their precious tax cuts for the 1%, but not everything.

Strange how Trump pooh-poohs the allegations yet strongly praises Putin. Stranger how he apparently has not yet had time to meet with the agencies to discuss the evidence yet has time to Tweet - about things he himself admits he knows nothing.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

And after the WMD debacle, why should anybody believe these agencies?

So they should be disbelieved on everything forever?

9 ( +14 / -5 )

"When they take the low road, we take the higher road."

Radical alt left hypocrisy on full display for the world to see.

Jan. 20th cannot come soon enough. . . .

-16 ( +5 / -21 )

@badsey3"Barrack Hussein Obama gets out-maneuvered again by the great Russian leader Putin."

Because Barrack Hussein Obama is a fool.

-11 ( +6 / -17 )

Obama is a puppet of the hegemonic oligarch warmongers and one of their goals is nuclear supremacy over Russia. Remember those ballistic missiles he placed in Romania, Poland and other countries bordering Russia? Obama said they were to protect from an Iranian nuclear attack. Of course he was lying. Then he made the Iranian deal. No need for those missiles anymore right? Nope. Still there.

It's not so hard to figure out WHY those missiles were placed their, or WHY NATO constantly has their swords up in the air over Russia unless your intellectually challenged or emotionally compromised. Who are two of Russias allies? Why that would be Ukraine and Syria. Some posters on here cannot even connect these dots.

IMO, Obama has either gone mad, or has made a 50-50 deal with the oligarch hegemons; I get to bash Bibi and I'll bash Putin for you.

The Hillary cry-babies posting here should just be ignored as most have little understanding of the U.S. oligarchs hegemonic ways. Maybe they can live another day without crying by posting their knee-jerk comments about Trump, and are just too much in pain to see through their MSM fake news blinders.

Thanks Vladimir and Donald, some of us don't want nuclear supremacy or nuclear war.

-14 ( +6 / -20 )

Because Barrack Hussein Obama is a fool.

That's putting it nicely. Look, Putin played Obama pure and simple, Obama thought he had the upper hand and he got slapped down in a very respectful, but condescending way, Putin knows that Obama is on his last leg of his admin and to make any attempt at dialogue is a waste of time, it would be more befitting to prepare dealing with president elect Trump.

-13 ( +7 / -20 )

The Russian economy has a problem - low oil prices. Of course, Putin didn't respond to President Obama's actions because Putin is trying to appear to be a cooperative participant in the transition period. A play right out of the KGB-CIA training manual. Putin is just waiting out the next few weeks before he tries to make the new president look stupid. Keep the sanctions, Mr. Trump, and continue to be extra polite. The USA taxpayers are waiting to see what the Secretary of State is going to do about the oil. It is all about oil.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

Trump's going to sell the USA down the river and it won't matter to him because he's a plutocrat. He pays little to no US tax but makes billions from business deals around the world. He has no real stake in the USA. The saddest thing is that the thousands who voted for him did so because they believed he was anti-establishment. Anti-establishment? A billionaire who pays little to no tax? Yeah right.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

@bass4funk "Obama thought he had the upper hand and he got slapped down in a very respectful, but condescending way."

Exactly. Putin looked out like an old, very experienced teacher who punished a boorish, dumb and lazy student in front of the whole class.

-12 ( +5 / -17 )

Trumps approach to this act of espionage has been to deny it occurred; admit that possibly it had, but we can't identify those responsible; sort of acknowledge, that, yes, we can, but taking action would be too costly; and finally just to urge everyone to ignore it and go about their lives.

He's had much practice at this: It's his same approach to global climate change.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Yet again the embarrassing clown known as Obama is performing his buffoonery and the only reason the situation he created in trying to start wars with Russia, is Putin realized Obama is a buffoon and will be gone in 3 weeks. Obama tried and failed to put pressure on Russia and distract America from his Islamic tyrant allies.

-21 ( +4 / -25 )

Amazing the posters here still don't realise how serious it is that the Russians hacked into US systems in order to discredit Clinton. Whether it benefited the GOP or the Dems is irrelevant, the fact that this happened is beyond serious because it means your votes can end up being absolutely meaningless. If Russia or another country did the same thing to help the Dems, the GOP and its supporters would be screaming bloody murder. Luckily there are some senior Republicans who know how big a thing this is and they have taken action. I've never been a fan of McCain or Graham but they are spot on this time, as is Obama. Democracy isn't perfect but it's the best thing we've got if you consider the other options. Russia doesn't have it and now they've directly threatened democracy and the way it works in the US. Trump's reaction is bizarre as usual and Putin's reaction is actually scary if you think about it.

14 ( +17 / -3 )

Barack's completely out of his league with Putin and is a total failure in the geopolitical scene. Russia, Turkey and Syria brokering a cease fire and left the impotent Obama administration out for good reason.

-14 ( +3 / -17 )

SuperLibDEC. 31, 2016 - 08:53AM JST I don't know if we'll ever know what motivates Trump's relationship with Putin.

Like attracts like.

serendipitousDEC. 31, 2016 - 11:15AM JST Amazing the posters here still don't realise how serious it is that the Russians hacked into US systems in order to discredit Clinton.

I think it's less "don't realize" and more of "don't care". One thing we see consistently from the posters who cheer and repost talking-points for Trump is that they don't have a consistent ideological goal. They just really, really hate Obama, the left, and everyone who disagrees with them (which in their mind proves they've always been part of the left). It's less politics and more the guys who paint their faces at football games.

12 ( +13 / -1 )

For the Trumpanzees

Ah, don't you just love those liberal elites? They're so above us and their poop don't stink.

To Ishiwara and serendipitous, you're just wrong and maybe delusional.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@serendipitous"Amazing the posters here still don't realise how serious it is that the Russians hacked into US systems in order to discredit Clinton."

It's a childish myth.

@Ishiwara"Expelling "diplomats" (known Russian intelligence agents) to send a message is normal practice."

Not "normal practice" for civilized country but a foolish action. Pure idiocy, so to speak.

-18 ( +1 / -19 )

"Trump is a disaster and he hasn't even been inaugurated yet."

Trump has already done more good as President-elect than Obama has done in 8 years.

Oh my...

Trump Ignores Obama's Obvious Trap, Praises Putin on Sanctions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OQx2nqaaOE

-15 ( +4 / -19 )

@Burning Bush"What has Obama accomplished"

Nothing except his ultimate foolishness.

-17 ( +1 / -18 )

Laguna: Dunno about that, SuperLib. Obama's sanctions have generated strong GOP support in both the Senate and the House - these guys are willing to overlook a lot in order to get their precious tax cuts for the 1%, but not everything.

Yeah, but establishment Republicans will have a better chance of getting their agenda passed by not getting noticed by Trump and his base. If they get involved in his controversies they are throwing themselves into the great unknown. I think at the end of the day they will speak out against Trump but not try to stop him.

Strange how Trump pooh-poohs the allegations yet strongly praises Putin. Stranger how he apparently has not yet had time to meet with the agencies to discuss the evidence yet has time to Tweet - about things he himself admits he knows nothing.

In some ways if he can destroy America's confidence in the FBI and CIA it will ultimately benefit him with no downside. He can still rely on their advice, especially for things outside of the public eye, but he can also get his base to tune them out if their analysis doesn't match his agenda. A good example would be imaging the FBI/CIA investigating something Trump is involved in. It would be a huge benefit to him to get his base to turn on them right out of the gate. Remember that by siding with Trump on this one must believe that those agencies are either incompetent or corrupt, so the seeds have been planted.

Couple that with Trump's desire to erode the credibility of the media and you get a very strong consolidation of power. Just ask Putin.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

The debate over whether or not Russia hacked the Democratic Party shouldn't cloud over the fact that the revelations leaked were TRUE. The Clinton Foundation did accept millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who also are the two main financial and logistical backers of ISIL and other Sunni Radical Groups including Jabhat al-Nusra. Both of these groups are in fact Al Queda under different names. In other words Hillary Clinton accepted huge amounts of money from the same people who helped perpetrate 9/11 and her email acknowledges that. How can THAT not be the story?

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

The right is just trying to paint this like Obama is wrong or weak, figuring that if they keep repeating it enough, it may become true.

Which to be fair is how things work in America.

But not the rest of the world. The rest of us see Obama for the strong leader he is, and the fool that is coming in for the fool he is.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

I wonder if Obama will release all of these sensitive information and evidence just before Trump's inauguration. That'd be funny. If he can't release anything, then it wouldn't be a good way to go.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

I wonder if Obama will release all of these sensitive information and evidence just before Trump's inauguration.

I'm more hoping for him to spend the next four years critiquing Trump from the sidelines.

That would infuriate and enrage Trump and the Trumpians.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

if they keep repeating it enough, it may become true.

Examples of this are the daily posts saying the MSM driven hegemonic warmongering cabal is going to be busted up by Trump, who's somehow NOT a member of the establishment. How Trump's going to do this while expanding the US military and threatening to ramp up the nuke race can only be known by his true believers. They somehow have faith in their political messiah, but I think faith, as I've heard said, is the purposeful suspension of critical thinking.

Those who write the posts remind me of people I've met along the way who read that book called The Secret, which apparently tells those who bought the scam if you say and do something enough times your wish will come true.

To quote George Costanza: 'It's not a lie if you believe it.'

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Russians meddle in US elections.

Where is your proof on this matter besides regurgitating msm talking points?

-12 ( +1 / -13 )

It would be a huge benefit to him to get his base to turn on them right out of the gate.

Very good point, Superlib. Have you noticed how Trump seems to be overlapping portfolios of many in his cabinet by creating some non-traditional positions? My guess is he's trying to head off trouble by ensuring his more powerful cabinet members fell unsure of their authority and anxious about maintaining access, thus making them more malleable. Perhaps he'll do the same with the plethora of intelligence services.

The Clinton Foundation did accept millions of dollars from Saudi Arabia and Qatar

Gee, you didn't know that, Marcus? The Foundation's donors are listed each year per federal law, as were these. The leaks just brought this to the attention of people who don't pay attention.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Heh, why not blame the Russians? Obama needed to blame someone ... anyone ... after he realized that Mrs. Clinton was supposed to validate his "legacy" and nobody wanted either one of them. . . .

-13 ( +2 / -15 )

Gee, you didn't know that, Marcus? The Foundation's donors are listed each year per federal law, as were these. The leaks just brought this to the attention of people who don't pay attention.

Clearly a job that was meant to be done by the msm but we all know now where that ball swung.

In other words Hillary Clinton accepted huge amounts of money from the same people who helped perpetrate 9/11 and her email acknowledges that. How can THAT not be the story?

Probably because the aforementioned states are also major investors in most 'reputable' news outlets.

In some ways if he can destroy America's confidence in the FBI and CIA it will ultimately benefit him with no downside

Wake up and smell the tea, that ship already sailed. No one in their right minds holds these two entities with as much high regard anymore.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Obama has a free pass until Jan 20. The sanctions are nice, but very targeted. The real fun will be the things we don't see.

Putin desperately wants a good relationship with Trump which would help him achieve Russia's global agenda. People talk about the US but most of America's allies would suffer with an emboldened Putin. A lot more is at stake than just us, and Russia has a lot to gain with Trump in their corner.

Obama can do some pretty damaging things which would force Putin to make a choice: sit and take it to save his relationship with Trump or retaliate which risks losing what he hopes to gain.

If I were Obama, I'd start hitting their networks pretty hard. Putin's going to be handing out a free pass for the next few weeks.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Obama has a free pass until Jan 20.

Yeah. I have a feeling he might leak some embarrassing financial info about Putin and/or his clique in the next few days.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

One has to wonder what this chump will do when he actually has to make a decision based on the analysis of facts produced by various agencies of the government rather than thoughtlessly opposing the leader of the current administration. He takes his every cue from Obama, and blithely undermines his own credibility as he mindlessly undermines the interests of the country.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Superlib, it occurred to me that this issue reinforces the power Congress now holds over Trump. In addition to the pretense of Trump's obvious financial conflicts of interest and opacity, any action he takes which appears to put his personal relationship with Putin above the interests of the US certainly meets the standard of "high crime". Americans overwhelmingly have a negative view of Putin, according to this poll - and that was before the hacking emerged. http://europe.newsweek.com/americans-favorable-view-putin-donald-trump-502759?rm=eu Whatever Trump does, congressional members of either party have the ability to publicize, overtly or covertly, more info which would further antagonize American opinion against Putin (and, at the same time, highlight the insanity of those Americans who do support him - and who also are a core base of Trump supporters, one the GOP establishment would not mind jettisoning).

So, yeah, Trump's boxed. Any move he makes, he loses. My guess is he'll let the sanctions stand. A big question is how far the GOP congress will push investigations and further sanctions. Putin my be smirking now, but his future lies with McConnell and Ryan, not Trump.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

I just don't have as much faith in establishment Republicans. Party before country runs deep. Ryan called Trump a textbook racist but still voted for him and cheered when he was elected. At some point we have to stopped being surprised at what they will do to get their agenda. I can hope for the wedge issue, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Trump fans will support what he does regardless, so any talk of exposing them or shaming them just won't change anything. Just look at the opinion polls in major issues. They don't have a strong grasp of reality and they can make it anything Trump tells them to. Putin is smart and everyone in the US government is out to get him? Done.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Obama is acting like a "woman scorned". The election of Mr. Trump was like a boot in the pants to his misguided foreign and domestic policies and the overall direction the Left has taken our country in during the past eight years.

Putin's snub of Obama is another sign that the world is putting itself on hold until after Donald Trump is sworn in as our nation's 45th president. . . .

-16 ( +0 / -16 )

Trump is licking and kissing Putin boots even before his inauguration. If US President is so soft on Russia as jelly, there will be more Crimeas will come. After WWII, Soviet has same old habit for land grabbing for expansion of empire. Only US of A can block Russia unbridled expansion on that earth.

Late Ronald Regan called Soviet as evil empire. Successive incoming US presidents showed respect for outgoing Presidents. Trump has show middle finger to not only Obama but also Late Regan and GOP. It is the great embrassment for GOP elders who elected someone who has been fondly admiring Putin.

If Ronald Regan is still alive, he will call Trump as traitor. Hilary said Trump is the puppet of Putin during second debate. It has become the reality now. Trump is the dangerous president with some secrets.

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Well, well, well....

This certainly has the Trump disciples and the Russian trolls in a hissy fit. They have now become indistinguishable from one another. Mr Reagan is indeed turning in his grave at the treachery.....and the idiocy.

The much vaunted wiliness of Putin is rather in doubt when he took Obama for a fool for not expecting a response from Obama, his pretence at not reacting to the new retaliation for Russian meddling just looks silly to those not subscribing to the cult of Trump or Putin. Not all Americans are as stupid as core Trump supporters - it's pretty obvious the Russians will have their patsy in the Oval Office next month.

The question isn't ultimately what Obama's next move will be; more that of the CIA - moves both foreign and domestic. No wonder Mr Trump wants to keep his own personal security detail....

9 ( +11 / -2 )

As an impartial and external observer it's just so bizarre to watch you Republican supporters be so blinded by your hate of the Democrats and Obama that you are willing to advocate for a man who is supporting a world leader and long time rival of the US in what could be espionage and election tampering in YOUR democratic process.

You need to wake up.

If you think Barak Obama is motivated by nothing more than pettiness, you are delusional, and you should be embarrassed. If this is what you really think, it's time to read more about world affairs.

Putin looks as though he has been caught with his fingers in the till and has left his prints all over the place. He might be thinking Trump's election is the greatest New Year's gift he will ever see.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

Burning BushDEC. 31, 2016 - 03:09PM JST But the phobia is getting to the point where people will start claiming that Trump's first wife, Ivana Zelníčková from the then Communist Czechoslovakia was actually a Soviet agent that dropped a Manchurian candidate pill in his morning coffee.

Sounds pretty much verbatim from your posting history oldest komrade ;)

8 ( +9 / -1 )

@Octagon" After WWII, Soviet has same old habit for land grabbing for expansion of empire. Only US of A can block Russia unbridled expansion on that earth.

Late Ronald Regan called Soviet as evil empire. Successive incoming US presidents showed respect for outgoing Presidents. Trump has show middle finger to not only Obama but also Late Regan and GOP. It is the great embrassment for GOP elders who elected someone who has been fondly admiring Putin."

"Evil Empire.....expansion on that Earth" Perfect ! Reading stuff like this one, everybody could realize how narrow-minded, brainwashed if not plain stupid some American folks are. LOL.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

Laguna: Yeah. I have a feeling he might leak some embarrassing financial info about Putin and/or his clique in the next few days.

Maybe? But it won't change anything. Putin controls the message in Russia. Trump controls the message to his supporters. Leak anything you want....their supporters will parrot Trump's and Putin's positions.

Tamarama: You need to wake up.

That doesn't work. Putting evidence in front of them doesn't work. Humiliating them doesn't work. There's some kind of odd relationship going on. Trump supporters support Trump because he fills some need they have. Going up against him would never happen since they would personally feel betrayal. There is a strong emotional angle that will take some time to understand, but suffice to say people defend Trump as if they are defending themselves.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Putin is indeed all smiles as he well knows that he can play Trump to his advantage. All he has to do is praise him, buddy-up to him, yet give no ground to him. Trump will never ever suspect Putin of espionage at all (even though we all know too well that Putin is well-versed in how to steal secrets. Trump is a neophyte in politics and will unfortunately get played big time by Putin.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Putin controls the message to Russia.

Not much America can do about Putin. That's for the Russians to decide. Interestingly, I've read that sanctions have lead some areas of Russian society to flourish as domestic production (particularly of agricultural goods) has been forced to offset imports. It's a bit like how energy prices have fallen in North Korea as China has choked off their coal exports - the reverse side is that exports have fallen, too, leaving Russian foreign trade at the same level as it was a decade ago. The net trade surplus has not changed substantially - just that far fewer people buy Russian goods, and Russia buys far fewer foreign goods. Inflation, which had spiked at 18% as the sanctions bit, has fallen to 6%, and the ruble has stabilized, albeit at a level 20% lower. After shrinking 3.8% in 2015, growth is expected to have shrunk only some 0.8% in 2016. So Putin does seem to have stabilized things - only at a vastly lower level of life quality, and with no prospects for significant recovery anytime soon. Russia's population continues to plunge, and its average lifespan is still on par with Central Asia and India. Putin may last, but I'd challenge any newbie Russophile on this site two questions: Which country has had a better past eight years, and who here would like to live in the country?

Trump controls the message to his supporters.

Trump's support is a mile wide and an inch thick - not just among the citizenry but in congress, and from next week, all congress will care about is the 2018 elections. They'll sacrifice him in an instant if it appears doing so will serve their purpose,and there will be no love lost.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Putin is indeed all smiles as he well knows that he can play Trump to his advantage. All he has to do is praise him, buddy-up to him, yet give no ground to him. Trump will never ever suspect Putin of espionage at all (even though we all know too well that Putin is well-versed in how to steal secrets. Trump is a neophyte in politics and will unfortunately get played big time by Putin.

And then, and only then, can Putin takeover the world and then call upon the Klingons he's been secretly communicating with to eventually rule the galaxy with his Death Star he's that been secretly building behind the Moon.

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

noriyosan73Dec. 31, 2016 - 10:25AM JST

Putin is just waiting out the next few weeks before he tries to make the new president look stupid.

Trumph needs no help to make himself look stupid. Hes is doing a good job of that himself.

13 ( +14 / -1 )

Lots of comments. Don't forget that. Lot of republicans want to investigate the hacking too. Obama may be out as president, but don't think he's leaving the scene. He's not going to sit in the den and paint water colors.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

LagunaDEC. 31, 2016 - 01:09PM JST

The leaks just brought this to the attention of people who don't pay attention.

More accurately, people who believe everything they hear on CNN, Fox and other mainstream media who are rabidly perpetuating the US governments narrative that the Russians are the West's new (old) enemy. Don't drink the Koolaid people. In fact, why not check out RT or Democracy Now to get some alternative views?

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

Obama may be out as president, but don't think he's leaving the scene. He's not going to sit in the den and paint water colors.

I'm really hoping he'll spend the next four years critiquing Trump, throwing Trump's actions back in his face. That will enrage both Trump and the right.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I'm really hoping he'll spend the next four years critiquing Trump, throwing Trump's actions back in his face. That will enrage both Trump and the right.

A bit, I assume, but the main thing is Obama will just be a normal citizen and as such, he's pretty much an insignificant fly. Kinda like, "yeah, Barry, whatever"

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

And Putin-admirers are poised to win upcoming elections in both France and Italy.

Thank you. My point, so beautifully made.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@Strangerland

No, none of us can know that, unless we have posters here who are in the FBI or high levels of US government.

What we do know is the DHS report claimed to show evidence actually does not show evidence. Here's an analysis by experts in the field: https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2016/12/russia-malware-ip-hack/

An older analysis of WP attacks from August that actually did originate from a Russian IP: https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2016/08/profile-russian-attack-ip/

But an IP doesn't really mean the operator is inside that country. It is trivial to hop from server to server to server between different countries. Until you see it (Windows people), most don't have any real understanding that this is the way Unix people work daily, constantly. I'm connected to 5 servers in 3 different countries right now.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

"President Barack Obama’s decision to impose sanctions and expel Russian diplomats over allegations of Russian meddling in the American presidential election"

Oh my...

It’s amateur hour in the White House:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lJ5kkuxaWU

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

What we do know is the DHS report claimed to show evidence actually does not show evidence. Here's an analysis by experts in the field: https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2016/12/russia-malware-ip-hack/

But what we don't know is what other evidence exists. Or doesn't. None of us is privy to that information.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

More accurately, people who believe everything they hear on CNN, Fox and other mainstream media...

That is an infantile position. Facts can be interpreted, but they remain facts, and the fact is that sources of Clinton Foundation funding have been reported consistently by the so-called MSM for at least a decade. Commentary should be separated from facts, of course, but I've read numerous commentaries over the years on multiple so-called MSM sites both defending and condemning the Foundation's fundraising activities. If you don't have the facts upon which you can form an opinion which makes sense to you, that is your own fault - not the media's.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

But what we don't know is what other evidence exists. Or doesn't. None of us is privy to that information.

What...like children who can't told the family dog was run over by a car? What exactly, in your thinking, could be such a National Security threat that we citizens can't be told about?

You see, this is the control that the corporate/government MSM causes. Pathetic.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Oh my...

DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS NOW A SMOKING PILE OF RUBBLE: Obama Retaliates Against Russia for Clinton:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gw818SGJcNs

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

What exactly, in your thinking, could be such a National Security threat that we citizens can't be told about?

The methods by which they are tracking these guys. Not a threat per se, but why give away your methods?

You see, this is the control that the corporate/government MSM causes. Pathetic.

No, this comment is pathetic. You people preach not believing everything the media tells you - and questioning what has been told to us is is exactly what I'm doing. Then when I do that, you blame it on the MSM. Get yourself straight, because you look silly blaming everything and anything on the 'MSM', especially since none of you have ever put forward a better alternative to the existing media.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

but why give away your methods?

Well, it IS economic and cyber war, right? The old days of front lines and tank battles are over, now it's economic, cyber, proxy and drone warfare. The hegemons would love for you to sit back in your Lazyboy and trust them, ya know, because "our boys" aint over there. I will not!

and questioning what has been told to us is is exactly what I'm doing.

No, your giving them the benefit of the doubt which should never be given after the WMD BS in Iraq by both a presidential administration AND the MSM.

Get yourself straight, because you look silly blaming everything and anything on the 'MSM'

But I never have. So, are you trying to scold me? I'm not sure.

especially since none of you have ever put forward a better alternative to the existing media.

I don't even know what this means.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

Oh my...

Democrats Blame Russia For This Reason: HILLARY CLINTON’S UNENCRYPTED SERVER STORED TOP SECRET EMAIL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=473W2TqFBWE

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Well, it IS economic and cyber war, right?

Exactly - which is why they wouldn't want to give away their methods.

your giving them the benefit of the doubt

Have I now? And what did I say that gives them the benefit of the doubt? Quotes please.

But I never have.

You did right here:

this is the control that the corporate/government MSM causes.

Finally:

I don't even know what this means.

You criticize the 'MSM', what is your alternative?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Exactly - which is why they wouldn't want to give away their methods.

Some of us take war more serious, and if it's going to happen then the people MUST be informed why, unless it's an oligarch controlled government who thinks of its citizens as pawns.

Have I now? And what did I say that gives them the benefit of the doubt? Quotes please.

But what we don't know is what other evidence exists. Or doesn't. None of us is privy to that information.

What information? You assume there is information, right? Hence...giving them the benefit of the doubt that they have some information.

You did right here:

Now your just being silly.

You criticize the 'MSM', what is your alternative?

Understanding that they are corporate, along with the lobbyist/government and Wall Street and they ALL sit in on the same board rooms.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

What information? You assume there is information, right?

Um no, right there in my words that you quoted about what not knowing what evidence they have, I said or don't.

Now your just being silly.

How so?

Understanding that they are corporate, along with the lobbyist/government and Wall Street and they ALL sit in on the same board rooms.

No, that's not an alternative. That's an understanding of one way things work. I want to know exactly where I should be getting my news if the 'MSM' cannot be trusted. Where are you getting yours?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

By the way, happy new year.

Um no, right there in my words that you quoted about what not knowing what evidence they have, I said or don't.

If they don't want to show the evidence, doesn't that even raise an eyebrow for you? There must be a way to show it without exposing any weaknesses, after all, this isn't nuclear secrets. That's how you give them the benefit of of the doubt by not questing the seriousness, or lack of, IMO, of this matter.

Where are you getting yours?

I've posted enough links over the years to give you a heads-up. Still, figure it out for yourself.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Happy New Year! Just 20 more days to go before...

Kellyanne Conway: Donald Trump will fix Israel & Russia relations Barack Obama ruined:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVQ4s4YPiCM

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

Strangerland: I want to know exactly where I should be getting my news if the 'MSM' cannot be trusted. Where are you getting yours?

I've never seen an anti-MSMer answer this question. My guess is that when you only seek out information that confirms your opinions then you bounce around to whichever source gives you what you want for that particular moment. Hence, your source list ends of being a lot of one-time use sources to confirm bits and pieces of the narrative you are building.

And let's be real.....every person here who has whined about the MSM has used a source like CNN or Fox News when it suits their narrative. They usually say something like "even CNN is admitting" as if CNN just couldn't lie anymore and for just that one story became a credible source. Heck, one guy here criticizes links from FactCheck.org while at the same time using FactCheck.org himself.

If it confirms their narrative, it's credible. If it doesn't, it's MSM garbage. The end.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

HILLARY CLINTON’S UNENCRYPTED SERVER STORED TOP SECRET EMAIL DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS NOW A SMOKING PILE OF RUBBLE

Serrano, you should seriously consider writing for the National Enquirer - not only do you have the requisite caps, you have the unnerving braindead passion. Follow your dream!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Kreml told before that if Whitehouse sanctions for hacking, they WILL retaliate. Whitehouse sanctioned. Kreml... By not retaliating as promised, Kreml admits that they did hack!!!

My guess is that Kreml saw that the info that got out about their actions was less damning than what was the reality, thus they decided to keep low profile to avoid giving any reason to re-investigate the hacking and cause more damage to Kreml.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Strangerland - No, that's not an alternative. That's an understanding of one way things work. I want to know exactly where I should be getting my news if the 'MSM' cannot be trusted. Where are you getting yours?

Perhaps you should be demanding that the MSM do their job, and actually report the news, all of the news, without adding spin, twist, bias, and horse poop.

While the MSM can not currently be trusted to always provide a properly vetted Who, What, Why, When, and Where of the news stories they publish, that doesn't mean they can't change. With your help, of course. Every reader/listener/viewer should be DEMANDING that the MSM do a proper job of delivering properly vetted news stories to the public.

As far as the issue of this thread is concerned, Obama should have handled the Russian intrusion over a year ago, when Obama was first informed that there was evidence to suggest Russian interference. Retaliating now makes it look like Obama is simply trying to cover up for his previous inaction. Back when it actually mattered to Hillary's election.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

SuperLib: I've never seen an anti-MSMer answer this question.

IIRC, the last two times I saw you ask this question, once the original question and the second time when you posted "anti-MSMers didn't reply when I asked them this", I posted something like:

'Breitbart because Fox News is too weak.'

For all I know, you've posted it dozens of times and I've only responded to you the three times I saw it. But I am pretty sure you responded to me the first time.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

So what if Putin and Trump agree?

Isn't that beneficial for the world?

Maybe there'll be more more progress in the world as Japan and Russia seem to be on the verge of under Putin!

Obama has definitely made progress - on his golf game in Hawaii where he is right now, even though he leaves the presidency in a few weeks!

Nuff said.......

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

So what if Putin and Trump agree?

Isn't that beneficial for the world?

You're right. He should continue this by praising Kim Jon Un and creating stronger ties with North Korea as well.

Although one thing I can't understand from the right is that if creating better ties with Cuba and Iran was so bad, why is it suddenly ok with Russia?

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Dems consider Trumps tweet to be treason yet giving billions to a terrorist state garners Obama high praise. I guess Trump should have just sent Putin a couple of pallets loaded with taxpayer cash to appease the Left's backward sensibilities.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

If they don't want to show the evidence, doesn't that even raise an eyebrow for you?

I didn't say they don't know, I said we don't know what they do or don't know. They may know everything or nothing for all we know.

There must be a way to show it without exposing any weaknesses

Not really. Hacking works a lot through obscurity - as long as people don't know how it happens, they can't stop it from happening. Government hackers (on both sides) will work under this principle. Giving their methods, even in a broad sense, can point at how the other side can protect themselves.

I've posted enough links over the years to give you a heads-up. Still, figure it out for yourself.

When it comes down to it, the most reliable source of news is the so-called 'MSM'. Even Fox News is better than getting news from YouTubbers. And I have very little respect for Fox News.

Perhaps you should be demanding that the MSM do their job, and actually report the news, all of the news, without adding spin, twist, bias, and horse poop.

But in the meantime - where should I be getting my news? You people talk about how the 'MSM' is lies, so you must be getting your news from somewhere more accurate. Yet, you seem to want to keep those places a secret for some reason.

...or maybe, just maybe, you're reading the MSM too, and just want to use criticism as a way of attacking the truth.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Wow, after reading this thread I am even more worried about 2017. There are inconsistencies in a liberal position (such as how the tolerant should respond to the intolerant) but the right is utterly incoherent. In a world that needs wise leadership we are surely going to hell in a handcart when I realise thoroughly who is in the ascendancy on this planet. It ends with conflict and misery. Let's start beating the drums.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Moonraker: you save me time writing exactly my feeling. Sincerely hope you - I - are wrong!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Meanwhile, prominent Republican Senators are saying the US needs to keep standing up to Vladimir Putin. Ought to make for an interesting four years.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/01/john-mccain-russia-vladimir-putin-ukraine-georgia

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Obama should never have accepted the Nobel Peace Prize. It emasculated him. He had to live up to an image. He's been tough talk, even provokes Russia. He doesn't know HOW to make peace. I don't know what Trump will do, but he knows how to negotiate. Lots of experience. The question is: is Russia really our enemy or has the powers that be lead us to believe so? I'm not saying Putin-tachi are saints, but are they fighting against us? Let's see what happens starting three weeks from now.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Putin is slowing planking feathers from his pet bird "Trump" until Trump becomes bear.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

American citizen are better be prepared to see Putin and Russia involved more and more in their local US politics.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

@talaraedokko"Obama should never have accepted the Nobel Peace Prize."

You are right. His Nobel Prize for Peace is a bad joke.

"He doesn't know HOW to make peace."

True. He is both arrogant and plain stupid. The Art of Diplomacy is far beyond his mind.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Obama was a loser president. One of the worst ever. Should have stayed in Chicago where all those nice young boys could make him think about adopting those young restless fatherless thugs.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

talaraedokko - Obama should never have accepted the Nobel Peace Prize.

Obama should never have been OFFERED the Nobel Peace Prize.

Obama's recent reaction to Russian meddling is too little, and too late. It appears that Obama is trying to polish his image before he leaves office. Obama didn't respond to Chinese hacking, just as he didn't respond to Russian hacking. Now, Obama wants to show the voters, and the world, what a tough guy he could have been. Yawn. People will remember that Obama expelled Russians. They won't remember that Obama should have expelled Russian operatives, and Chinese operatives, way back when it would have actually accomplished something.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Funny, but Russia not expelling US diplomats is the hardest slap-in-the-face that they could have delivered to Obama. Their decision not to react (other than post a small statement and a photo of a duck with the word "lame" pasted across it) is a more than subtle statement that Russia doesn't care at all about what Obama says, thinks, or does.

In other news, the links between Russian hackers and the DNC are becoming weaker and weaker. The Russians did not "hack the election", as the more stupid in America tend to think. Someone hacked the DNC, and exposed a lot of crooked activity. Whoever hacked the DNC deserves more praise than criticism, and I hope they find ways of hacking into the emails of all politicians, so the public can see more closely what those who are supposed to serve the public are actually doing.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

This is hilarious (and right on the money)...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UkuqOrSQNk

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Thank god for Trump. This man will stop a nuclear war.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Why is are their so many Obama supporters on this forum? Trump is correct.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites