General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhy are there 7 US Republican Lawmakers in Russia Right Now?
And why aren't we hearing about this in the US media?
https://www.rferl.org/a/us-legislators-shelby-kennedy-arrive-moscow-mission-improve-ties-observe-economy/29334313.html
Radio Free Europe
U.S. Legislators In Moscow On Mission To Improve Ties, Observe Economy
The U.S. lawmakers are in Russia this week on what they say is a mission to try to help revive relations, which are severely strained, and observe how Russia's economy is doing after four years of Western sanctions. [snip]
"We come here realizing that we have a strained relationship, but we could have a better relationship between the U.S. and Russia, because we have some common interests around the world that we could hopefully work together on," Senator Richard Shelby (Republican-Alabama) told Lavrov at the start of their meeting. "We could be competitors -- we are competitors -- but we don't necessarily need to be adversaries." [snip]
"...Kennedy said he wanted to see how Russia's economy is doing. "Some say it's in shambles," he told CNN. "Others say with the increase in the price of oil, it's doing much better. Others say [Russia is] spending all their money on Syria and weaponry and the people are starving to death. Others say that's not true. So I don't know." Kennedy told CNN that there had been a lot of "serious allegations that Russia has interfered with not just our elections," but with elections in France and Germany as well as with Britain's vote in 2016 to exit the European Union.
The congressional delegation arrived in Russia on June 30 and plans to stay until July 5. Also included in the group are Senators John Hoeven (Republican-North Dakota), John Thune (Republican-South Dakota), Jerry Moran (Republican-Kansas), Steve Daines (Republican-Montana), and one House of Representatives member, Kay Granger (Republican-Texas)."
I trust these bastards about as far as I can throw them.
exboyfil
(17,857 posts)This country attacked our election, and show no signs of changing. They attacked it to benefit the party that is now visiting them. How can these Senators be viewed as anything but collaborators?
At a minimum both parties should be represented in these meetings.
I would queue up the campaign ads right now.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)This is bullshit! It should be all over the MSM and it's not. At least I haven't seen or heard anything.
Frustratedlady
(16,254 posts)She highly questioned it, as well. What's going on? Why right before the big party with Putin and Trump?
Why weren't we told BEFORE the meeting? Why so long? Why people from the Appropriations' Committee? Why not the Foreign Relations or some similar Committee? They were very somber. All show?
Lots of whys.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)can't find much of anything on it. I might have to dig deeper, but this is very suspect indeed.
KelleyKramer
(8,843 posts)smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)unfortunately I don't get cable news so I didn't see the original airing, but thank you for posting. She is one of the few who is talking about it.
UCmeNdc
(9,589 posts)No one is talking about this possibility.
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)She's' great and she's one of the few newscasters who is talking about this. This is all very shady.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)They were just picking up their paychecks.
triron
(21,914 posts)DesertRat
(27,995 posts)Pruitt, Jordan, SCOTUS, Russia, mass shootings, 45 becoming more unhinged daily. It's hard to keep up, especially during a holiday week.
thucythucy
(7,983 posts)That's not a campaign slogan because I doubt many Americans would get the reference.
But that's what they are. Collaborators.
Turbineguy
(37,206 posts)I like to give instructions to everyone at once.
I must have some Russian blood in me.
Ohiogal
(31,657 posts)Let's send our lawmakers over there with pleading eyes and worried brows, asking how the poor lil Russians are surviving under mean Obama sanctions ..... meanwhile we give Trudeau and Macron the middle finger and tell them to get lost.
Something sounds very fishy to me.
dalton99a
(81,065 posts)Raster
(20,996 posts)jpak
(41,741 posts)yup
gtar100
(4,192 posts)They need it because their ideas and actions are so despicable.
But really good question - why are there so many republicans over in Russia now? Today of all days even. Prepare for the spin.
Money can't buy respect but it can insulate one from their own shitty behavior.
spanone
(135,632 posts)no front page coverage...NYTimes or Wapo
BlueJac
(7,838 posts)ass to kiss when he meets with Putin!!
These people all appear to be traitors as well.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)blm
(112,919 posts)Force every Trump supporter you know to read those words.
moondust
(19,917 posts)QC
(26,371 posts)dhill926
(16,234 posts)instead of being home with the people they're supposed to be serving. Jesus Christ....
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)Sophia4
(3,515 posts)States that reliably and without much thought vote Republican every time. The only populous states is Texas.
In American terms, their economic clout is about equal to that of Siberia.
Meanwhile, here in California and over in the Northeast, where the movers and shakers of America, the creative citizens, reside, we don't want Russia messing in our elections or our economy. No thanks.
This crew doesn't realize it, but they have now labelled themselves, and their states will suffer for it.
Upthevibe
(7,879 posts)world wide wally
(21,718 posts)Raven123
(4,714 posts)yellowdogintexas
(22,114 posts)She is afraid of them since Gabby Gifford you know. This is good fodder for her opponent. There were probably 6 neighborhood July 4 parades in the district and she could hit several of them - Wendy Davis managed to when she was the State Senator from our district.
Kay also won't debate her opponent, unless she gets trapped into it publicly, which is what happened in 2014 the only time I know of where she did debate the opponent. Oh how we have fallen since Jim Wright retired.
MineralMan
(146,190 posts)Each gets a nice bag of Russian diamonds to tuck into their carry-on for the trip home. They can quickly be converted to cash back in the States, see...
Locutusofborg
(524 posts)Is being played in Russia.
spanone
(135,632 posts)JHB
(37,128 posts)Unless you're saying they're dumb enough not to know that the whole world has a different definition for "football" than Americans do.
Locutusofborg
(524 posts)To attend an event like the World Cup. Putin has been there, Medvedev (Russia's Prime Minister) is there, the King of Saudi Arabia was there, most of the billionaire Russian oligarchs have been there; its the event, not the sport that draws the power elites. A great place to deal make.
JHB
(37,128 posts)More of it, anyways.
Blue_Adept
(6,384 posts)I mean, my first reaction is, we have a state department and other services that can tell you exactly how things are going in Russia in any number of areas.
Then I remembered that we don't really have a state department anymore.
RainCaster
(10,676 posts)Pure and simple
Traitors every one.
Freethinker65
(9,929 posts)nature-lover
(1,451 posts)dlk
(11,425 posts)Initech
(99,909 posts)If the president of your party is under investigation for Russian collusion, maybe, I don't know - don't do anything involving Russia!
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)Who owns or controls the Eastern-South Eastern Retail Oil? Yup a Russian Oil Company. Richard Shelby is the key,major Oil Refinery in Birmingham . Watch for Sanctions on Russian Oil to be lifted. The price of retail Gas is threatening the Rethugs in a MAGA way. It is all about the Mid Terms my friends.
Follow the money .
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)And gas pipelines?
MarcA
(2,195 posts)Noticed that most of the new "old South" except Nebraska and Oklahoma
are there. And in reality it is a performance review/preview.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)The East Coast Refineries were dependent on heavy Crude from Venezuela which now is totally out of Business due to Politics. BTW,Trump wanted to invade Venezuela in order to capture the Oil fields because it was his.
Notice Lukoil used to be known as Citgo,which was purchased by a Putin's Oil Company.
Again,it is all about the Oil.
MarcA
(2,195 posts)time some years ago when Citgo was helping U.S. citizens somehow
who were having trouble with heating bills or getting heating fuel.
Wellstone ruled
(34,661 posts)which included Retail and wholesale networks. Tons of C-Stores lock stock and barrel. At least one Refinery and portions of others.
suffragette
(12,232 posts)WhiteTara
(29,676 posts)we said no to a dictator/king. May they receive their just rewards.
Gothmog
(143,998 posts)irisblue
(32,828 posts)lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)DesertRat
(27,995 posts)jmowreader
(50,447 posts)Which is also why Trump is going over there.
lancelyons
(988 posts)THe press has covered it. The Problem is the democrat leaders.. they are not covering it.
Sometimes I wonder if they are asleep.
Why DONT WE have DEMOCRAT leaders, who knows how to talk about it, talking to the press about whats going on... and how this doesnt make sense..why are we hammering our allies and sucking up to our adversaries?
The Democrats cant just depend on the press to do their work for them.
pwb
(11,204 posts)Change the channel? For sure Fox won't listen to democrats or give them a chance to reply. Fair and Unbalanced.
lancelyons
(988 posts)Last edited Thu Jul 5, 2018, 11:28 AM - Edit history (1)
I dont watch fox and I still have not seen a senator or representative or democrat party leader other wise say that the GOP meeting by themselves with Russia and sucking up to them is wrong. I see CNN and MSNBC, etc saying that but not the democrats.
We need an outspoke leader or set of leaders to come out against some of this stuff.
pwb
(11,204 posts)We will play our hand when the time comes in election ads. Wait for it, its coming big time.
George II
(67,782 posts)Response to George II (Reply #82)
Post removed
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Derp.
lancelyons
(988 posts)Igel
(35,191 posts)I'd be less interested (I'd like to think) in just making a stink, and more interested in being there to observe the shenanigans.
What would be more important--being there to observe and maybe interfere, or off on the side saying, "You know, I'm suspicious, so please report my suspicions"?
George II
(67,782 posts)...terminology for my party?
lancelyons
(988 posts)This is part of our problem. A small technicality on how I say it and you guys go off the rails.
George II
(67,782 posts)lancelyons
(988 posts)I have never noticed that either from republicans I debate with.
The point I would make is what you are doing here is finding a small technicality and arguing about it. This is precisely why we have had issues in elections picking a 3rd party candidate because of some small technicallity and then losing the election rather than coming together as 1 party.
We are a big tent party with a number of views. Its not just your views that count.
George II
(67,782 posts)lancelyons
(988 posts)leaders in the democratic party are called democrats. Saying Democrat leaders is not something that is bad. Your failing to see the entire scope of the use or the context.
George II
(67,782 posts)Check around with your Democratic friends, see how they feel about their party being referred to as the Democrat Party or their leaders being referred to as Democrat leaders.
Surprising to see that one claiming to be a supporter of the Democratic Party isn't aware of this.
Excerpt from my (epithet) link:
The term Democrat Party is an epithet for the Democratic Party of the United States,[3][4][5] used disparagingly by the party's opponents.[6] The following appeared in The New York Times in 1984:
The term 'Democrat Party' has been used in recent years by some right-wing Republicans on the ground that the term used by Democrats implies that they are the only true adherents of democracy.[7]
Language expert Roy Copperud said it was used by Republicans who disliked the implication that Democratic Party implied to listeners that Democrats "are somehow the anointed custodians of the concept of democracy".[8] According to Oxford Dictionaries, the use of Democrat rather than the adjective Democratic
is in keeping with a longstanding tradition among Republicans of dropping the ic in order to maintain a distinction from the broader, positive associations of the adjective democratic with democracy and egalitarianism.[9]
Political commentator William Safire wrote in 1993 that the Democrat of Democrat Party "does conveniently rhyme with autocrat, plutocrat, and worst of all, bureaucrat".[10] Hendrik Hertzberg writes in The New Yorker:
Theres no great mystery about the motives behind this deliberate misnaming. 'Democrat Party' is a slur, or intended to bea handy way to express contempt. Aesthetic judgments are subjective, of course, but 'Democrat Party' is jarring verging on ugly. It fairly screams 'rat'.[11]
Pollster Frank Luntz tested the phrase with a focus group in 2001, and concluded that the only people who really disliked the epithet were highly partisan Democrats.[12] Political analyst Charlie Cook attributed modern use of the term to force of habit rather than a deliberate epithet by Republicans.[13] Journalist Ruth Marcus stated that Republicans likely only continue to employ the term because Democrats dislike it,[3] and Hertzberg calls use of the term "a minor irritation" and also "the partisan equivalent of flashing a gang sign".[11]
lancelyons
(988 posts)democratic leader democratic leaders.
Now are you happy. Good grief. Stupid stuff.
pwb
(11,204 posts)Making plans for the midterms? Hiring thugs to harass democrats?
kairos12
(12,817 posts)NCjack
(10,279 posts)will end the path to the presidency in 2020 for you.
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Pepsidog
(6,252 posts)BadGimp
(4,009 posts)#ThePartyOfPutin is getting ready for a big play.
They will come back and declare we need to drop the sanctions etc.
All while ignoring the damage Putin/Russia has done to the US.
UN F&*@(&G BELIEVABLE!!!!
Xipe Totec
(43,872 posts)samnsara
(17,570 posts).unprecedented that there are so many and NO dems.
sheshe2
(83,323 posts)SemiHalfling
(53 posts)jayschool2013
(2,309 posts)They just want to see how an established oligarchy works so they can compare our "progress."
Chipper Chat
(9,634 posts)It's just about adoption.
Donnie Jr told me so?
spanone
(135,632 posts)Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)Jakes Progress
(11,121 posts)in putin's plan for the US. They have been doing his bidding for some time now and want to cash in on their traitorous actions on his behalf.
kentuck
(110,950 posts)...what they have learned.
And he will ignore it and do whatever Putin requests.
workinclasszero
(28,270 posts)...Vladimir Putin.
ck4829
(34,974 posts)UCmeNdc
(9,589 posts)Just like the 2016 GOP convention.
We need to be ready for anything...
C_U_L8R
(44,891 posts)Depositing bags of money.
spanone
(135,632 posts)sarcasmo
(23,968 posts)Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)and especially among the left?
I mean, Hillary got a world of shit just for giving a closed-door speech to some Wall Street execs...
Iggo
(47,486 posts)lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)democrank
(11,052 posts)like Obama.
duforsure
(11,882 posts)They represent putin over this country, and over the 4th too shows nothing but contempt for this country. Treasonous traitors.