-
You Opened the Box…
Once you let the genie out of the bottle, you can’t stuff him back in.
Attempts to overturn the results of our election, or to delegitimize a president before he even takes office, are attempts to overturn the system of transfer of power that has served America since its earliest days. There is no measure of exaggeration here; Americans are questioning the results of the election because roughly half don’t like the guy who won.
Somehow things are… special this year. In most elections, a good-sized group of us see our candidate lose, grumble, and move on to some degree. I don’t think Trump will be a good president, but I also do not think he will burn civil rights to the ground, destroy life on the planet, sell Alaska back to Russia, or invade China with Omarosa some drunk weekend.
In what in another era would be left for conspiracy theorists to contemplate, for the first time in our nation’s history powerful mainstream forces are trying to change the results of an election. Shocked by Trump’s victory, and fearing his presidency, they want to stop him from entering the White House. The belief seems to be that he is such a threat that it is necessary to destroy a part of democracy in America to save it.
Some efforts are silly, online petitions demanding, somehow, Clinton become president (here’s one asking the Supreme Court to invalidate the election,) or bleating that her popular vote victory matters somehow within the existing electoral process. Others call for a magic do-over, a new election.
Political scientists claim they maybe have found untested ways for the Electoral College to vote for Clinton, or to postpone a vote.
But after that it gets very serious. America’s foreign intelligence service, the CIA, via anonymous leaks to the New York Times, NBC, and the Washington Post, declared Russia actively and purposefully interceded in our election in favor of Donald Trump. Trump was elected, in part, by the work of Russian cyber blackops.
It is important to unpack what the accusations driving this are: someone working for the Russian government broke into the Democratic National Committee servers and Clinton campaign head John Podesta’s Gmail account, delivered those emails (which the Clinton campaign by and large said were bogus or altered) to places like Wikileaks, and that the emails few voters read influenced the election such that Trump, not Clinton, won the electoral vote. Trump’s strengths as a candidate and Clinton weaknesses were not significant enough on their own to have swayed the electoral count 74 votes in Trump’s favor. At the same time, for these accusations to matter, President Trump will act in favor of Russian interests (choosing hard liner John Bolton as number two at the State Department already seems counter to that) and against those of the United States.
The accusations against Trump can rise to the level of treason (some are speculating Trump was a willing participant in any Russian ops), a capital crime, the most serious crime an American can commit against his country.
All is supposed to be revealed in the form of some sort of investigation.
Leaving how clever use of redactions can present “evidence” in misleading ways, intelligence assessments are rarely black and white, especially when seeking to explain why an action took place, its ultimate political goal. An intelligence service can conclude with reasonable confidence (for example) that Country X executed 12 dissidents last week. It is much harder to say why, or why now, or why those 12, or why not a different group, or what those executions mean in the longer game of local politics. So while technical means may be able to point to a hacker with connections to Russia (though hackers include in their tradecraft leaving false clues), moving from whether any hacks were standard information gathering as engaged in by all sides, or an active part of a campaign to change the course of our election, is a tough job. So those who expect a black and white report on what they Russians did, why they did it, and how it affected the election, are very unlikely to get it.
So what will be done?
The current focus is on the Electoral College voting on Monday, December 19 to put Hillary Clinton into the White House. That would require breaking with some 224 years of practice, moving against the will of about half of American voters who acted in good faith under the current system believing their vote would be assessed by the rules and practices in place, and destroying the orderly transfer of power that marks a democracy.
But if Trump prevails in the Electoral College, what next? There is no Constitutional allowance for a “second election.” Bomb Moscow? Keep Barack Obama in power? Dispatch a lynch mob to Trump Tower?
Well, of course not. Probably.
Instead we will enter a new administration with a delegitimized president, under the shadow of multiple conspiracy theories, accusations, hearings, investigations and likely threats to of impeachment proceedings. Every decision President Trump makes, as with his every Cabinet choice now, will be weighed against the accusations. America’s Russia policy (in Europe, the Middle East, Asia) will be held hostage to rumors and leaks. A divided America will become more divided.
The Bush-Gore election of 2000 was contested right into the Supreme Court. The differences, however, are significant. The post-election fight took place between two men still candidates, to decide a winner. Trump is the President Elect, and the process, whatever it is, seeks to overturn, not decide, that result. In Bush-Gore, once the Court declared a winner, the results were accepted, albeit reluctantly by some, and America moved on. Lastly, the struggle between Bush and Gore took place in open court, not via leaks and classified documents.
There is also the argument, basically a variation of “if you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear” that Americans should be willing to submit to post-election recounts and investigations, themselves often inconclusive or subject to another round of questions, to “prove” nothing went amiss. There is danger in confusing a potential body blow to the electoral process, seeking to overturn a completed election, with casting it all as benign verification.
An additional danger is in the McCarthy-esque conflating of opposition to these efforts with a lack of patriotism, and by invalid extension, support for America’s enemies. To remain skeptical is to stand against the United States. To question the CIA is to disrespect our intelligence professionals. Journalists who do not support the accusations are said to be either active Russian agents of influence or “useful idiots” too dumb to know they are being manipulated.
The real impact of all this will be felt long past Trump’s tenure.
Democrats, Republicans, and players such as the CIA will have four years to consider how this process of delegitimizing a President Elect could work more effectively next time. The people who support extra-Constitutional steps now because of Donald Trump will find those same step will be available in later elections, to use against a candidate they favor. Voting can potentially become only a preliminary gesture, with real struggle only starting after the election itself.
Many are deeply upset Hillary Clinton lost. Many are unsure, even fearful, of a Trump presidency. But once you let the genie of trying to overturn an election loose, you won’t be able to stop it next time.
Copyright © 2020. All rights reserved. The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) in their private capacity.
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bloodypitchfork said...
1What a fascinating, online, week by week, chapter by chapter, blockbuster story. I really like the fact, that unlike books, we can’t even see how many chapters there are, nor are able to peek at the final chapter, which makes my spine tingle with anticipation for tomorrows revelations. I mean…this is even better than Walking Dead! Moreover, there’s more than one author too! Kinda like a live, day by day collaboration of people who each submit their own story line, leaving the reader to decide which one they think will connect the dots to the final chapter, of which, at least the first chapter gave a clue to it’s name, Electors. Just wow. I submit this will win a Pulitzer for best non-fiction of the year! And think of all the ramifications that will create spin-offs and possible 2nd and 3rd generation re-du’s! Someone is gonna make a killing on the publishing rights too! Not to mention creating JOBS for people like…oh, I don’t know..prosecutors? Journalists! FBI people!..god the list is endless!! All I know is I now wake up every morning with a smile on my face, knowing today’s episode won’t end up with a preview of the Series of episodes that won’t be available for a fucking year. Yahoooeee. Man, I can’t wait to re-watch the whole kit and kabootal on Netflix too. Just think of nightly binge watching for hours!! This will make Ripper Street look like Howdie Doodie Time!
note to self.. stock up on Popcorn.
ps..eat your heart out House of Cards!!!
12/16/16 8:47 AM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
2Sheee.. zus ..christ, now that I think about it…holy moly! Just think of all the plots, scenes, subjects…wow. Fake news. Political and Foreign Intrigue! Hackers! Emails! The debates, election and nutjob candidates! Twitter!! Blogs!! Pizzagate.. child porno.. guns! Wikileaks! Julian Assange! News publications!! CIA!! FBI!! NSA!! Nutjob Military and Wallstreet Cabinet appointees!! Racist appointees!! McCarthy era intimidation!! The alt-right!! Campaign manager fights!! Guccifer2!! Russian involvement!! Democracy at stake!!! Recounts!!! Suits!!! Election rigging!! Lies upon lies upon lies!! Ambassadors!! The State Dept.!! Surveillance!! James Comey!!.. Congress!!! The White House!! Clinton Foundation!! Trumps Bidnesses!! China!! Taiwan!! WAR!! Transition Team nutjobs!! Emailgate!! Weiner!! Sex!! …it’s got it ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man..this story will redefine the word…BLOCKBUSTER!!!! It’ll make TRILLIONS!!! Talk about a journalists wetdream!!..wait… er… umm..
naw. I must be dreaming. No one would believe it. You couldn’t make this shit up in a thousand..no..make that a MILLION YEARS. Ok… nevermind.
carry on.
ps. Insert two rolling eyes and double face palm smileys here.
12/16/16 8:48 AM | Comment Link
Rich Bauer said...
3I don’t believe the CIA said any such thing about this sordid affair. The CIA seventh floor will not do anything to alienate its new client who will pay them to prostitute themselves. This bunch of whores are the same ones who grabbed their ankles and let Dick do his thing. Career before country. Speak truth to power. Be gentle.
12/16/16 9:17 AM | Comment Link
Rich Bauer said...
4“To question our CIA is to disrepect our intelligence professionals.”
You mean our real intelligence professionals, right?
12/16/16 9:22 AM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
5I want to think that Trump will not be worn down by the current campaign to delegitimized his win. He won the hard way with even his own party trying to sabatoge his run. I didn’t support or vote for him but I accept his win and wish him well. He is now up against a scorned prissy Obama who needs to destroy Trump as a pathetic means of reclaiming a clearly tarnished legacy. Eight years of wasting the public’s time produced Trump. Obama just can’t get over that fact.
12/16/16 9:37 AM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
6This pretty much sums up this whole debacle…
https://consortiumnews.com/2016/12/12/us-intel-vets-dispute-russia-hacking-claims/
Read the comments too. Amazing.
12/16/16 10:17 AM | Comment Link
wemeantwell said...
7I am a member of the organization, Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS), that wrote that article. I happen to know the primary drafter was William Binney, former Technical Director, World Geopolitical & Military Analysis, NSA. Can’t touch that guy on the tech stuff.
12/16/16 10:28 AM | Comment Link
chuck said...
8Off to listen to MC hammer “Can’t Touch This”. The best people for truth are V.I.P’s. Thanks.
12/16/16 10:38 AM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
9Maybe it is time for an American political schism- The Trumpsters ruling from Trump Tower and the Clintonites ruing from DC. Each one will claim to be the real legitimate power. We proles won’t know which way to face when asking for alms. The whole thing is becoming very medieval czar Trump vs czarina Hillary. Bette Davis would warn us to install more airbags-it’s gonna be that bumpy.
12/16/16 10:40 AM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
10One thing seems assured after this Russian hacking story fades- your thesaurus will need to be upgraded. Under “allege” there will be four hundreds new synonyms.
12/16/16 10:50 AM | Comment Link
chuck said...
11Davis 2020 I’m with her. No wait!
12/16/16 11:13 AM | Comment Link
Rich Bauer said...
12So Trump wants to rebuild our military and Johnny bombs away Bolton as Dep. SecState. Why on earth would Putin want Trump to win?
12/16/16 11:47 AM | Comment Link
chuck said...
13China get unmanned vessel. Glad it was not Natasha & Co..!
12/16/16 12:01 PM | Comment Link
chuck said...
14No Boots On the Ground! Hope Change Believe…Have a nice day!
12/16/16 12:05 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
15wemeantwell said…
“I am a member of the organization,…”
Cool. Did you know they were going to draft this letter?
12/16/16 12:22 PM | Comment Link
wemeantwell said...
16I did not know in advance, or I would have signed it. Sometimes I can’t keep up with everything that flows past me.
12/16/16 9:00 PM | Comment Link
Bruce said...
17B00 C0UP Billary! – a useful idiot
12/16/16 3:22 PM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
18Peter,
Its a shame that Hillary, with all her power, deceit, contacts, dirt on Everyone, not to mention, her overwhelming need for more of the previous….
That she just did not go away like she was supposed to.
Knew it would be hard to get rid of her….. But this hard??????
M
12/16/16 5:36 PM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
19I was certain the stake wasn’t carved from an azek plank at Home Depot. This time I am donating a 5 inch thick teak board. It is now official!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Putin caused Hillary to lose. Hell she was listing at least 70 degrees during the primaries so Putin could have inadvertently coughed from Moscow and toppled her without any nefarious intent.
12/16/16 6:17 PM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
20John Poole,
Are you trying to say the Killary is a Vampire Bitch?????
M
12/16/16 6:25 PM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
21Mitch, maybe the stake needs to be made of garlick branches!
She just doesn’t fade from the scene. Blame that on the half white guy. Funny no one has called him out on his African
American bullshit. Why doesn’t he call himself a half Kansan guy?
12/16/16 7:04 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
22Hahahahahahaha!
@Mitch..
http://www.rawstory.com/2016/12/texas-electors-face-threats-for-defecting-vote-for-trump-or-we-rape-your-wife-and-daughters/
I remember Texas. I lived in Corpus Cristi for 3 yrs when I was a kid. You couldn’t PAY me to move there Mitch. Moreover, I moved to Michigan 3 yrs. ago from Oregon. Biggest mistake I’ve made in my entire life, no matter if I had to or not. In 5 degree weather, in the last 3 days, I’ve spent every waking hour,…
1. After discovering broken, leaking hot water line from water heater in small closet, at 9pm 2 days ago, had to get dressed for Alaska weather to go shut off water under house in 12in of snow.
2. Next morning. Fix broken water pipe at water heater. Go to turn on water under house. Discover plastic faucet and connections split open from freezing temps because water shut off, and insulation torn away by freezing stray CATS who are looking for leaking water and a warm place to survive the night.
3. Shut off water well pump. Go to local Ace and spend $40 buying supplies to fix split plastic pipes. Assemble sub assemblies in 5degree weather in shop.
4.You don’t wanna know the rest to this moment.
Needless to say.. I don’t give a fuck about what is going on with Electiongate. Now excuse me while I thaw out my frostbitten fingers and toes.
.
12/16/16 7:16 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
23I digress..
Meanwhile..
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-blames-putins-personal-grudge-against-her-for-election-interference/2016/12/16/12f36250-c3be-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html?utm_term=.886873e71251
fuck.. can’t make this shit up indeed.
12/16/16 8:04 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
24ps.. Pandora’s box indeed. Fuck em.
12/16/16 8:06 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
25Meanwhile, Murika proves it’s the Dumbest Fucking Country on the Planet.
http://www.newyorker.com/tech/elements/super-marios-reluctant-leap-to-the-iphone?mbid=gnep&intcid=gnep&google_editors_picks=true
Meanwhile, Allepo proves the human race is a pack of animals who don’t give a fuck about tyrants raping their own citizens. Obama…fuck you. Russia..fuck you. And fuck you to every nation on this planet who fails those suffering in Syria.
12/16/16 8:11 PM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
26John,
No wonder he did not like the Pope.
Ever notice his birth certificate says Kenya?…..
Funny….. Kenya did not exist when he was born.
M
12/16/16 8:16 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
27Meanwhile.. Trump’s march of insanity does it again..
http://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/trump_daily_bankruptcy_israel_ambassador_david_friedman?mbid=gnep&intcid=gnep&google_editors_picks=true
If Trump supporters heads aren’t exploding before this.. they are brain fucking dead. More over..I can just hear tomorrows explosion from the alt-right.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Trump suckered them all.
12/16/16 8:19 PM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
28Pitchfork,
Not that I blame you for leaving Oregon…. But…. SHIT!!!!!
Ever see Santa swinging by to his summer home??
And my place is Many hours north of Corpus….
Been in those kind of messes before. Minus the cats from hell. ( they really are the devils creations)
Had to dig up a front yard on new years weekend once. Looking for a broken main.
In 8 degrees.
It kind of sucked. Just…. A LOT !!!!
Suggestion…. Leave some faucets running water outside … Slowly… It will keep the pipes from freezing.
M
12/16/16 8:25 PM | Comment Link
Rich Bauer said...
29Global warming, Iraqi WMDs, emailgate. It is difficult for a person to understand something when that person’s job depends upon not understanding it. Upton Sinclair
12/17/16 5:05 AM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
30Damn!!!!!!!!!
Missed the holiday party of the year!!!!!!!!
http://foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=22995&external=3843795.proteus.fma
M
12/17/16 8:25 AM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
31Mitch- pity the band having to “pump up” the room.
The only tune appropriate would be Elington’s DON’T GET AROUND MUCH ANY MORE which is also good for any open casket memorial services (I just recently played one) I do not play political fundraisers.
12/17/16 8:49 AM | Comment Link
John Poole said...
32Wonder Woman’s Ambassadorship to the UN ends soon after only two months. Will they try CatWoman next? So the DC comic book model is one to emulate when tackling big issues? Geez, what a bummer.
12/17/16 9:03 AM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
33John,
Suppose they made up a tune, called. “pump up the BITCH ” ???????
Wonder how many tranquilizer’s they have her on now?
M
12/17/16 9:33 AM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
34“Suggestion…. Leave some faucets running water outside … Slowly… It will keep the pipes from freezing.”
We do. Unfortunately, because I discovered that broken hot water pipe at the water heater at 9pm, I couldn’t fix it till the morning. That meant turning the main off. Overnight. But now, we’ve got bigger problems. Pump runs, but no water comes from pump. It’s down in a concrete bunker below grade. Checked for frozen pipes down there. None were frozen. Analyzing as I type. BIG $$$$$ problem. Closest pump repair..2 hours away. fuck.I hate Michigan.
12/17/16 9:34 AM | Comment Link
Rich Bauer said...
35Drip, drip, drip, the trickle of “information” from our “intelligence” agencies on the leaks that lost the election are Hillarious. Most voters don’t know what the DNC is. Most voters don’t read PERIOD. The DNC is frantically looking for a scapegoat for its gross incompetence. Its corporate media masters fear four years of Trump telling them to go fuck themselves. Love Trumps hate, but nothing trumps greed. That is something both sides can agree.
12/17/16 9:50 AM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
36Pitchfork,
Ok…. Plumbing fixed over the net.
Question….
The tank…. Old style or new style.
Old style is a large metal…. WITHOUT a air filled bladder.
New style…. Smaller. 30 gallon size…. With a air filled bladder.
I think I know what is wrong.
M
12/17/16 10:15 AM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
37PS.
Pitchfork,
If its what I think it is…. Zero cost in fixing it.
M
12/17/16 10:17 AM | Comment Link
chuck said...
38Don’t worry about torture Truth or Report. It will be in Barry’s Library for 12 years. Mr Transparent. Pig. Pass me a wing! Happy Holidays ! Believe…
12/17/16 4:29 PM | Comment Link
chuck said...
39“I will close Gitmo”.
12/17/16 4:30 PM | Comment Link
chuck said...
40A Quote you won’t see…. “The public turning against TPP, and Trump joining in, cost me millions” Barry the Bomber talking about his lobby job Jan. 20 2017. Smooth operator.
12/17/16 4:33 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
41Mitch said…
“PS.
Pitchfork,
If its what I think it is…. Zero cost in fixing it.”
Bleeding. Prepared for tomorrow via 20 youtubes. But first, another delima. Took my wife to the pharmacy today, in a snowstorm. Waited in car 10 minutes with engine running. All of a sudden, gauges dropped, radio/heater stopped, engine started sputtering. Then.. WHAM! Engine sputts to a halt. My heart drops. Just what I need.
Long story short. Open hood. Serpentine belt appears broken. Two hours later..with new belt in hand, open hood expecting broken belt. Not so fast. Belt intact. Below steering pump, mangled brake line encrusted with snow. Don’t know what happened. 1 hour later, frost bitten toes, need “convincer” pipe for ratchet to force Tension pulley to retract to get new belt on. Because of cold…quit. Go home. Tear of wet/snow coverd boots. Wrap hot towel around feet. Pour two shots of vodka and open a cold beer, turn on heater under desk, ………god. Heaven.
12/17/16 4:40 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
42ps..Peter..excuse personal delima posting. Sometimes, blog commentater friends have suggestions. They’ve saved me more than once. Thanks Mitch.
12/17/16 4:42 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
43More on point now. In name..Hannah-Arendt
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/12/17/how-hannah-arendts-classic-work/?utm_term=.a1c309b3f7bf
I mean..what do you have to lose by not reading it. At least I’ve learned the “Origins of Totalitarinism”..vs my own self awareness of it’s advancement across Murika. Fuck.
12/17/16 5:00 PM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
44Pitchfork,
I don’t think Peter minds, I think the whole idea here is to learn something…. Don’t recall restrictions being placed on that.
First… 2 foot or longer crowbar/ monkey bar works real well on the belt tensioner.
Second…
Your well and pump.
The way it works… The tank has to have an airbubble in it.
The reason you have lost the air bubble is because of the water running all night from the broken pipe.
Solution:
Kill the power to the well…. Even a piece of wood splinter to lock the relay switch open will work…
Find the well tank drain, pull the drain…. Do not wear the good watch…. Water will shoot out when the plug comes out… Aka… DO NOT STAND in front of the drain….
Drain the tank…. All the way… Replace plug… Turn the power loose… Air bubble restored…
You will have to go through… Flush toilets, run sinks, tubs… Etc.
To get the air out of the lines.
M
M
12/17/16 5:05 PM | Comment Link
bloodypitchfork said...
45Mitch said..
“Drain the tank…. All the way… Replace plug… Turn the power loose… Air bubble restored…”
ummm.. there’s NOTHING in the tank. That’s the point. I’m even thinking the tanks internal parts have failed. Who knows yet. Tomorrow, I have a friend coming over to help me who knows everything about wells. Wish me luck. We need it. 3 days of no water has convinced my wife, her dream of living off the grid has evaporated. Insert ROTFIGSL here.
12/17/16 7:03 PM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
46Pitchfork,
No sweat.
There is a vent in the pipe that goes down to the pump.
Either it has popped loose… Or… There is a crack in the pipe… Either is simple to fix.
I realize your up that creek…. But… Relax… Its not a big deal.
Hey…. Don’t go knocking off grid… We are… Sort of…
We sell power back year round.
M
12/17/16 7:26 PM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
47So….. Two sides of the 9 sided coin….
The first is a very real concern…. Not because its Facebook..(who cares)… But at a national level.. After the “news cops” get done bashing and trashing….
the question is…. Who decides what we are allowed to read ?
The second…. Just shake your head….. Biden’s 2020…. Yep….. Fake….
http://topstories.foxnews.mobi/quickPage.html?page=17224&external=3843437.proteus.fma
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/12/17/biden-s-brief-unofficial-2020-white-house-bid-fake-news-from-left.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fpolitics+%28Internal+-+Politics+-+Text%29
M
12/17/16 9:01 PM | Comment Link
Rich Bauer said...
48If the electoral vote is reversed in favor of the War Witch, there won’t be a next time. And that would make Vlad Putin happy.
12/18/16 7:24 AM | Comment Link
Rich Bauer said...
49The chance for civil war can’t be ignored because the MAJORITY of repugnicans actually believe their dark lord also won the popular vote. Amerika, you are soooooooooo fuckkkkkked.
12/18/16 7:40 AM | Comment Link
Rich Bauer said...
50If the electoral vote is rigged, Trump will not be the only one acting like a chimpanzee with a machine gun.
12/18/16 7:48 AM | Comment Link
Rich Bauer said...
51Bless the NRA.
12/18/16 8:01 AM | Comment Link
Mitch said...
52Bauer,
You need to read and retain.
The vote does Not reverse…. If the EC changes their pledges….
It Nulls their vote….not reverse.
M
12/18/16 8:33 AM | Comment Link