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

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

#101

Post by SQueeeeeL » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:23 PM UTC

KptMarchewa wrote: post #42

SQueeeeeL wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dang, I didn't realize confirmed election interference stopped mattering if we were at war with another superpower.

It did matter because evil soviet union was a threat to whole world. Thanks to mainly US actions my country is now free of russian torturers.

That's obviously not logically sound, because there's a ton of people in the middle east who would say these exact words about the US and their military actions. The morality of state level actors varies substantially across populations, it's why in countries with higher education, you find lower rates of nationalism

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

#102

Post by mooneater » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:23 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…

> 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.

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

#103

Post by AzzieElbab » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:24 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…

"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.

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

#104

Post by LatteLazy » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:25 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…

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 REQUIRES a national level fix.

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

#105

Post by danenania » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:25 PM UTC

kibwen wrote: post #88

danenania wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not sure why everyone assumes this. It seems like he'd have much more ability to shape the future of Russia and protect those close to him if he chooses a successor and oversees the succession. He could also ensure better conditions for himself (i.e. not being executed) in case he ends up being unable to continue ruling due to sickness/old age.

If Putin were interested in either ruling from the shadows or appointing a successor then he had his chance with Medvedev. The fact that he ousted Medvedev to re-assert himself reveals that prefers to be seen as the one in charge.

Yes, but by the same token, won't he want to maximize the chances of an ideologically aligned successor so his influence continues beyond death? He doesn't strike me as someone who'd be content to let the chips fall where they may once he's gone.

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

#106

Post by AzzieElbab » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:25 PM UTC

leothecool wrote: post #98

ethanbond wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, their goal is indeed to have a specific election winner and to foment division. The IC has been quite clear that Russia had a strong preference for a Trump victory at least in 2016. [Removed a section on GOP preference for defunding Ukraine since this is not a party position, just a growing position within the party] Everything else you've said is true though - no reason to stick our heads in the sand about their…

> GOP's stated preferences for defunding Ukraine's defense The voting record shows their preference is to continue funding it. I don't know why your information sources are saying the opposite. Maybe they do it to polarize us.

some GOPs do not support funding Ukraine, most do. Also, most want accountability and audit

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

#107

Post by factsarelolz » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:26 PM UTC

ethanbond wrote: post #89

matwood wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you're thinking short term. I don't think Russia cares democrat or republican, they want exactly what's happening - lack of confidence in the election process. Trump benefitted because he's reading from the same playbook - push a lack of confidence in the election process. From Russia's standpoint, they can't take down the US. The US can certainly destroy itself from the inside though. If we assume the GOP is…

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.

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

#108

Post by Beltalowda » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:26 PM UTC

MichaelCollins wrote: post #29

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'm still betting on a premature death, but never say never. Castro retired.

A number of dictators ending up being dethroned (without a full-blown civil war): Robert Mugabe (already in his 90s though), Suharto, Pol Pot, Pinochet, a bunch of others whose names escape me at the moment.

I'd be interesting to gather some data on this, but I suspect it's more common that casual perception might indicate.

One possible reason for the mysterious Russian Modified Gravity that causes people to fall to their deaths might be that Putin's position is not as secure as he might like us to think. He doesn't even need to be assassinated: once he's no longer in a position to order around force, what is he going to do? Some of the above lived for decades after being deposed.

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

#109

Post by synergy20 » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:28 PM UTC

cm2187 wrote: post #75

synergy20 wrote: post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

these days the only two media I "trust" is apnews and reuters, all the rest are biased one way or another, I simply ignore all of them. I read axios once a while because it's short, and, it seems more objective than all the rest(except for APNews and Reuters that is), so it's the 3rd site I visit.

I used to do the same, trust news agencies, which until recently were neutral and had much higher standards. But those are going fast. I think the most shocking example for me is when Reuters embargo-ed a story about Beto O'Rourke's hacking past, until after the 2018 election to not risk helping Cruz. And I have seen countless news agency articles that were clearly politically biased since.

not aware of that, that's a shame indeed. I hope there is still true journalism on earth, problem is, where is it? as an independent, all I want is to read the facts, like it used to be, long long time ago though.

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

#110

Post by godelski » Mon, Nov 07, 2022, 6:28 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.

I'll admit, that is a major concern of mine too. But at this point I don't see another option. Our own governments (not just US mind you) have actively demonstrated to us that they revel in this same political discourse. That they thought they could wield the fire instead of stamping it out. So who is left? Corporations? Same story there I'm afraid. So as I see it, the systems we ,,should'' rely upon have failed us and thus we must take manner into our own hands. I think this strategy is infinitely better than the civil war people so eagerly discuss. But like the SAO/VR story from yesterday, I don't think people are actively internalizing the horrors that such an event would bring. So I'm going to keep my hope that we can solve things in a civil manner (which also means we can break the cycle). We don't need everyone to make these changes, but just enough.