The Senate hearings on Russian infiltration of the 2016 election, through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, continue.
It is now clear. Any American who was using social media and interested in politics saw an advertisement bought by Russia: ads that mimicked if not identically copied messages supporting Trump and seeking to suppress Clinton voters.
This isn't FAKE NEWS. It's FACT.
Facebook released a minuscule sample of ads bought by Russia. The ads were intended to gin up the right, and to the extent that Trump won 70,000 votes in three states that delivered the electoral college despite losing the popular vote by millions, Russia's strategy worked.
It is fascinating to observe the right instantly rising in objection to the Senate hearings, under the guise of protecting First Amendment privileges. US Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas even went on Fox and Friends last night, complaining that some people support limiting ideas and free speech.
Perhaps more Americans will be revolted by the way that Putin's aims are dovetailing with the Koch Brothers'. It is all about the unstated agenda of transactional nationalism: enabling oligarchs to hold the peace. Democracy? Socialism?
No ideology holds in their universe, other than making money. Who knew that in 2017 we are going to have to stand up for the basic principles of democracy, starting with civility and fairness and "do unto others as you would have them do, unto you."
If Americans had the FULL INVENTORY of ads purchased by Russians on Facebook, we would see just how far off course we are.
(Click here to listen to NPR segment: Senator Kamala Harris on Social Media and Russian Propaganda. Be informed! It's YOUR democracy being plowed under.)
It is now clear. Any American who was using social media and interested in politics saw an advertisement bought by Russia: ads that mimicked if not identically copied messages supporting Trump and seeking to suppress Clinton voters.
This isn't FAKE NEWS. It's FACT.
Al Franken shredding FB's top legal counsel is a sight to behold. ❤️pic.twitter.com/gt6sjuoxZ4#ThursdayThoughts
— Holly O'Reilly (@AynRandPaulRyan) November 2, 2017
Facebook released a minuscule sample of ads bought by Russia. The ads were intended to gin up the right, and to the extent that Trump won 70,000 votes in three states that delivered the electoral college despite losing the popular vote by millions, Russia's strategy worked.
It is fascinating to observe the right instantly rising in objection to the Senate hearings, under the guise of protecting First Amendment privileges. US Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas even went on Fox and Friends last night, complaining that some people support limiting ideas and free speech.
Perhaps more Americans will be revolted by the way that Putin's aims are dovetailing with the Koch Brothers'. It is all about the unstated agenda of transactional nationalism: enabling oligarchs to hold the peace. Democracy? Socialism?
No ideology holds in their universe, other than making money. Who knew that in 2017 we are going to have to stand up for the basic principles of democracy, starting with civility and fairness and "do unto others as you would have them do, unto you."
If Americans had the FULL INVENTORY of ads purchased by Russians on Facebook, we would see just how far off course we are.
(Click here to listen to NPR segment: Senator Kamala Harris on Social Media and Russian Propaganda. Be informed! It's YOUR democracy being plowed under.)
6 comments:
Video - loved it. Can never get a straight answer out of a lawyer.
Russia-linked actors created accounts with names like Blacktivists and Back the Badge aimed at voters concerned about police relations with their communities, and other accounts that called for secure borders that were aimed at immigration hard-liners. One account, Army of Jesus, published an illustration of an arm-wrestling match between Christ and the devil. “Satan: If I win, Clinton wins!” the headline read.
“Last month, President Trump called Russian-purchased Facebook ads a ‘hoax,’” Mr. Heinrich said. “I’ve looked at those Russian-sponsored Facebook ads. I certainly hope you’ve had a chance to review them. Are they, in fact, a hoax?”
Mr. Stretch said no. “The existence of those ads were on Facebook,” he said, “and it was not a hoax.”
0.004% of FB ads were Russian linked, the Russian linked ads also were valid if the original language was Russian.
Face it, Hillary sucked. Stop making excuses.
It does not take a majority to have a revolt or hold on to power, just a mobilized and highly motivated minority. Fascism has crept in an permeated every institution. It won't let go easily. They will be able to hold on to power and change the landscape of America only with about 5% to 10% of the population supporting American Fascism. Ask Steve Bannon how to take a startup to become a fledgling dictatorship.
Exactly what fascism are you talking about?
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