‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections • Hacker News Board

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#111

Post by EarlKing » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:28 PM UTC

AzzieElbab wrote: post #103

godelski wrote: post #77

> Russian companies were charged in the U.S. with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord and dividing American public opinion This is key here and I think we should all take note because I see comments here that feed into their tactics. Their goal isn't to have a specific election winner, but to divide us as a nation (not just US but all Westerners and even countries like Japan) and creat…

"Their goal isn't to have a specific election winner, but to divide us as a nation" - what is the point? our media is so much better at it.

Because people under the age of 40 are consuming less moss media every year. You gotta go where the eyeballs are.

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#112

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:29 PM UTC

LatteLazy wrote: post #104

godelski wrote: post #77

> Russian companies were charged in the U.S. with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord and dividing American public opinion This is key here and I think we should all take note because I see comments here that feed into their tactics. Their goal isn't to have a specific election winner, but to divide us as a nation (not just US but all Westerners and even countries like Japan) and creat…

The problem is that smart people, paying attention and putting national interest will now compromise, and people not in that category will just continue to refuse. So the "centre" will move closer to whatever that latter group believes. And will keep doing so until then former group stops compromising. So this, like so so many issues, cannot be solves by appeals to individuals to change their own position. It REQUIRE…

[deleted]

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#113

Post by Beltalowda » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:29 PM UTC

bpodgursky wrote: post #22

starik36 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> after Putin retires He ain't retiring. The only way he is leaving the Kremlin is in a casket.

I guess I should say... after Putin is gone, one way or another. He's 70, it's not going to be forever.

He could potentially still hold power for decades to come, into his 90s. So forever? No, obviously not. But we might have to look at him for a long time.

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#114

Post by _ea1k » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:29 PM UTC

mooneater wrote: post #102

godelski wrote: post #77

> Russian companies were charged in the U.S. with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord and dividing American public opinion This is key here and I think we should all take note because I see comments here that feed into their tactics. Their goal isn't to have a specific election winner, but to divide us as a nation (not just US but all Westerners and even countries like Japan) and creat…

> there are things we the public NEED to do I dont disagree, but my take is relying on public changing its behavior is not exactly a hopeful strategy.

If they are relying on us changing in negative ways, why is it necessarily the case that we can't change in positive ways?

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#115

Post by this_user » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:30 PM UTC

marviel wrote: post #17

The timing of this information suggests that while it may be true, its very disclosure may also be meddling in foreign elections -- i.e. casting doubt on their legitimacy helps many within the US who are actively trying to propagate that narrative. EDIT: A word

That is what a lot of people are missing with this: The goal of Russian propaganda has always been to create chaos and get people to disengage by creating a feeling that nothing is true, or at least that the truth is unknowable. Hence the constant stream of extremely transparent lies and BS.

In other words, the point of their election interference is not primarily to manipulate the election successfully, but to create the belief that they did.

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#116

Post by jonny_eh » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:30 PM UTC

godelski wrote: post #77

> Russian companies were charged in the U.S. with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord and dividing American public opinion This is key here and I think we should all take note because I see comments here that feed into their tactics. Their goal isn't to have a specific election winner, but to divide us as a nation (not just US but all Westerners and even countries like Japan) and creat…

That may have been true pre-2016 but it's clear at this point that one of the major parties (starts with an R) is the pro-Putin party. They may have got to that point by dividing, but now they're reaping the benefits.

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#117

Post by SXX » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:31 PM UTC

throw-ru-938 wrote: post #61

bell-cot wrote: post #4

My impression (mostly from coverage that I've seen at UnderstandingWar.org ) is that Yevgeny Prigozhin might be happy to admit to quite a few things - whether or not he'd actually done them - so long as doing so advanced his public image (hint - neither "weak" nor "pro-American") and political ambitions. Pass the salt?

Yep, Prigozhin is a bullshitter on the level of Elon Musk. The guy spent years publicly denying the existence of the Wagner group, then opened a patriotic co-working space literally called The Wagner Group Centre. (meanwhile, the group itself is still illegal under Russian law) I'm not saying he didn't interfere in the elections, but whatever he says is no proof either way.

Hate Musk all you want, but comparing him to war criminal? Come on!

This kind of comments are both both help Russian gangsters and downplay actual war crimes that happen in Ukraine. Your petty hatred toward US billionare have nothing to do with what happening to millions of people suffering because of war.

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#118

Post by myth_drannon » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:31 PM UTC

psychlops wrote: post #39

Frankly, I'm shocked. The US would never do such a thing and to discover that others may want to influence american politics for their benefit is astonishing.

It is as if they never played Civ1 game and never used Saboteur to cause unrest in a city.

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#119

Post by godelski » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:33 PM UTC

AzzieElbab wrote: post #103

godelski wrote: post #77

> Russian companies were charged in the U.S. with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord and dividing American public opinion This is key here and I think we should all take note because I see comments here that feed into their tactics. Their goal isn't to have a specific election winner, but to divide us as a nation (not just US but all Westerners and even countries like Japan) and creat…

"Their goal isn't to have a specific election winner, but to divide us as a nation" - what is the point? our media is so much better at it.

The strategy I laid out is effective to all potential adversaries of this manner. That includes any institutions which try to wield the fire instead of putting it out.

I'd be careful with your words though. They have a defeatist attitude and may perpetuate said attitude. That is still a win for those trying to sow discord within our societies. You get people to either fight one another or shut up, but that still leaves no one to fight the dragon pulling the strings (in this case, many dragons). So I'm actively encouraging opening our voices, but to do it with care. Staying silent may not be akin to actively engaging in the inter-fighting, but it is enabling it. We're at a point where the fire won't put itself out and if we don't act accordingly, it will burn the whole house down.

Re: ‘Putin’s chef’ admits to interfering in U.S. elections

#120

Post by ethanbond » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:34 PM UTC

factsarelolz wrote: post #107

ethanbond wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You think Russia has no preferences between option a) party that has been providing Ukraine with weapons systems that are demolishing their military and option b) party that has vowed to end all aid to Ukraine? Really? The war in Ukraine is obviously the #1 most important, most critical issue for Putin right now . It is as close to do-or-die as a dictatorial nationstate can get and the situation is getting worse by t…

> Really? If someone were to believe what you're saying is true then Putin would have invaded Ukraine under a Republican President, Trump. Russia only seems to fuck with Ukraine when a Democrat is President. Why would Putin invade Ukraine or fuck with Ukraine when the party in power hates Russia and will spend untold billions to stop Russia. Your argument makes absolutely no sense.

> Why would Putin invade Ukraine or fuck with Ukraine when the party in power hates Russia and will spend untold billions to stop Russia.

Wait so... why would he? Considering this is exactly what he did?

Could it be that there are other components to a decision to invade than merely who is in power halfway around the world? There's nothing incompatible with this and the idea they he'd prefer Trump, or any NATO-withdrawing and foreign-aid withholding party, in power.