The promotion of the alleged Russian election hacking in certain media may have grown from the successful attempts of U.S. intelligence services to limit the publication of the NSA files obtained by Edward Snowden.
In May 2013 Edward Snowden fled to Hong Kong and handed internal documents from the National Security Agency (NSA) to four journalists, Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras, and Ewen MacAskill of the Guardian and separately to Barton Gellman who worked for the Washington Post. Some of those documents were published by Glenn Greenwald in the Guardian, others by Barton Gellman in the Washington Post. Several other international news site published additional material though the mass of NSA papers that Snowden allegedly acquired never saw public daylight.
In July 2013 the Guardian was forced by the British government to destroy its copy of the Snowden archive.
In August 2013 Jeff Bezos bought the Washington Post for some $250 million. In 2012 Bezos, the founder, largest share holder and CEO of Amazon, had already a cooperation with the CIA. Together they invested in a Canadian quantum computing company. In March 2013 Amazon signed a $600 million deal to provide computing services for the CIA.
In October 2013 Pierre Omidyar, the owner of Ebay, founded First Look Media and hired Glenn Greenwald and Laura Poitras. The total planned investment was said to be $250 million. It took up to February 2014 until the new organization launched its first site, the Intercept. Only a few NSA stories appeared on it. The Intercept is a rather mediocre site. Its management is said to be chaotic. It publishes few stories of interests and one might ask if it ever was meant to be a serious outlet. Omidyar has worked, together with the U.S. government, to force regime change onto Ukraine. He had strong ties with the Obama administration.
Snowden had copies of some 20,000 to 58,000 NSA files. Only 1,182 have been published. Bezos and Omidyar obviously helped the NSA to keep more than 95% of the Snowden archive away from the public. The Snowden papers were practically privatized into trusted hands of Silicon Valley billionaires with ties to the various secret services and the Obama administration.
The motivation for the Bezos and Omidyar to do this is not clear. Bezos is estimated to own a shameful $90 billion. The Washington Post buy is chump-change for him. Omidyar has a net worth of some $9.3 billion. But the use of billionaires to mask what are in fact intelligence operations is not new. The Ford Foundation has for decades been a CIA front, George Soros' Open Society foundation is one of the premier "regime change" operations, well versed in instigating "color revolutions".
It would have been reasonable if the cooperation between those billionaires and the intelligence agencies had stopped after the NSA leaks were secured. But it seems that strong cooperation of the Bezos and Omidyar outlets with the CIA and others continue.
The Intercept burned a intelligence leaker, Reality Winner, who had trusted its journalists to keep her protected. It smeared the President of Syria as neo-nazi based on an (intentional?) mistranslation of one of his speeches. It additionally hired a Syrian supporter of the CIA's "regime change by Jihadis" in Syria. Despite its pretense of "fearless, adversarial journalism" it hardly deviates from U.S. policies.
The Washington Post, which has a much bigger reach, is the prime outlet for "Russia-gate", the false claims by parts of the U.S. intelligence community and the Clinton campaign, that Russia attempted to influence U.S. elections or even "colluded" with Trump.
Just today it provides two stories and one op-ed that lack any factual evidence for the anti-Russian claims made in them.
In Kremlin trolls burned across the Internet as Washington debated options the writers insinuate that some anonymous writer who published a few pieces on Counterpunch and elsewhere was part of a Russian operation. They provide zero evidence to back that claim up. Whatever that writer wrote (see list at end) was run of the mill stuff that had little to do with the U.S. election. The piece then dives into various cyber-operations against Russia that the Obama and Trump administration have discussed.
A second story in the paper today is based on "a classified GRU report obtained by The Washington Post." It claims that the Russian military intelligence service GRU started a social media operation one day after the Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was illegally removed from his office in a U.S. regime change operation. What the story lists as alleged GRU puppet postings reads like normal internet talk of people opposed to the fascist regime change in Kiev. The Washington Post leaves completely unexplained who handed it an alleged GRU report from 2014, who classified it and how, if at all, it verified its veracity. To me the piece and the assertions therein have a strong odor of bovine excrement.
An op-ed in the very same Washington Post has a similar smell. It is written by the intelligence flunkies Michael Morell and Mike Rogers. Morell had hoped to become CIA boss under a President Hillary Clinton. The op-ed (which includes a serious misunderstanding of "deterrence") asserts that Russia never stopped its cyberattacks on the United States:
Russia’s information operations tactics since the election are more numerous than can be listed here. But to get a sense of the breadth of Russian activity, consider the messaging spread by Kremlin-oriented accounts on Twitter, which cybersecurity and disinformation experts have tracked as part of the German Marshall Fund’s Alliance for Securing Democracy.
The author link to this page which claims to list Twitter hashtags that are currently used by Russian influence agents. Apparently the top issue Russia's influence agents currently promote is "#merrychristmas".
When the authors claim Russian operations are "more numerous than can be listed here" they practically admit that they have not even one plausible operation they could cite. Its simply obfuscation to justify their call for more political and military measures against Russia. This again to distract from the real reasons Clinton lost the election and to introduce a new Cold War for the benefit of weapon producers and U.S. influence in Europe.
None of the Russia-gate stories so far has held up to scrutiny. There is no proof at all, nor reasonable evidence, that Russia interfered in elections in the U.S. or elsewhere. There is no evidence of "collusion" with the Trump campaign.
One of the most complete debunking of the false claims can be found in the recent London Review of Books: What We Don’t Talk about When We Talk about Russian Hacking. Consortium News has published many pieces on the issue as well as analyses and warnings of what may follow from it. Many other writers have caught up and debunk the various false claims. The Nation lists various cases of journalistic malpractice with regard to Russia-gate.
The people who promote the "Russian influence" nonsense are political operatives or hacks. Take for example Luke Harding of the Guardian who just published a book titled Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win. He was taken apart in a Real News interview (vid) about the book. The interviewer pointed out that there is absolutely no evidence in the book to support its claims. When asked for any proof for his assertion Harding defensively says that he is just "storytelling" - in other words: its fiction. Harding earlier wrote a book about Edward Snowden which was a similar sham. Julian Assange called it "a hack job in the purest sense of the term". Harding is also known as plagiarizer. When he worked in Moscow he copied stories and passages from the now defunct Exile, run by Matt Taibbi and Mark Ames. The Guardian had to publish an apology.
The Mexican government controls the media by buying an immense amount of advertisement. It thus guarantees income as long as its political line is followed. The U.S. government has its own ways of controlling the media. In the 1950s to 1970s the CIA ran Operation Mockingbird which gave it control over much of the news and opinion output in U.S. media. During that time up to 400 main stream journalists were working for the CIA.
The method of control has likely changed. The handling of the Snowden affair lets one assume that the CIA induces billionaires to buy up media and to implement the CIA's favored policies through them. We do not know what the billionaires get for their service. The CIA surely has many ways to let them gain information on their competition or to influence business regulations in foreign countries. One hand will wash the other.
James Clapper as Director of National Intelligence, John Brennan as CIA head and James Comey from the FBI "assessed" that Russia influenced the U.S. presidential election. Annex B of their report, which hardly any report bothered to mention, read:
Judgments are not intended to imply that we have proof that shows something to be a fact. Assessments are based on collected information, which is often incomplete or fragmentary, as well as logic, argumentation and precedents.
That sentence is the core of Russia-gate. There are lots of claims, assertions and judgments but no proof at all that any of the alleged Russian influence really happened.
It is probably due to the undue influence of the intelligence services that media have adopted that Annex B standard for themselves. With regards to Russia (and other issues), assertions are now enough - there is no need to investigate, to find the truth or to verify claims.
* * *
How will that system work if an accident happens, some jet gets shot down and the issue escalates. Will there be any reporter left in the main stream media who is allowed to ask real questions?
Comments
Don't hold your breath! There is NOT and HAS NOT BEEN for years!
For the past 70 years no reporter questioned the Holohoax http://wp.me/p4OZ4v-3BS
So agree. Don't hold your breath.
In reply to Don't hold your breath! There by USA USA
How can a country with <2% of world GDP be an actual threat? Virtually all of it being from extraction industries: mining, oil/gas, etc. Or, North Korea - why are we picking on them? Leave Putin and Kim alone.
In reply to For the past 70 years no by bobcatz
Forget the Russians.. lets concentrate on Hollywood. Hollywood leaks everywhere.Bringing shame back in style, one leak at a time:Hollywood Actress Addison Timlin Leaked Nudes and Sex VIDEO (77 Photos)http://celebrity-leaks.net/hollywood-actress-addison-timlin-leaked-nude…
In reply to How can a country with <2% of by RationalExuberance
" Judgments are not intended to imply that we have proof that shows something to be a fact."OK OK I was afraid for a moment they were telling the truth.Good thing things never change with all the gov goons.
In reply to Forget the Russians.. lets by Alt-Right-Girl
Also remember Udo Ulfkotte, author of Gekaufte Journalisten, and recall what happened to the English translation of his book.
The courageous Udo also died of an apparent "heart attack" at age 56. Not likely.He came right out and said that he and most all other European journalists were/are on the CIA payroll.The CIA is a social-engineering project disguised as an intelligence agency (among other things, mostly illegal).
In reply to Also remember Udo Ulfkotte, by Urban Roman
Thank you for the suggestion to check that out. Supressedly- and blatantly so - hardly begins to describe the situation, does it?I'm even shocked at the number of malware sites found by typing in the the English translation "Journalists for Hire".PDF into Google.$800 for a used copy on Amazon...I believe I've got a clean download but hesitated- I'll use a computer less personal.
In reply to Also remember Udo Ulfkotte, by Urban Roman
wow. that guy is dead?... wow. just fucking wow.
In reply to Thank you for the suggestion by iadr
You got a link to your download?
In reply to Thank you for the suggestion by iadr
I don't buy a single word Snowden had to say, Sure it might contain some truth, But he sure missed hitting the big nails he had. The others involved all are some sort of spook operation as is the intercept, I don't trust any of these folks at all.
"Snowden had copies of some 20,000 to 58,000 NSA files. Only 1,182 have been published."Kinda hard to tell what he had, don't ya think?
In reply to I don't buy a single word by Masher1
I agree with Masher1.
Why didn't ALL those files get released all at once? Why the slow leak, through obviously tainted sources?
Why wasn't any of the information that WAS published real news? Most of it had been thought to have been happening for years before he officially confirmed it.
Why did Snowden first go to China, then to Russia - the two countries that are now supposedly transforming the monetary system from the dollar to the gold-backed Yuan?
Why didn't Pierre Omidyar get the royal treatment that was thrown at Snowden for being a 'Traitor', even though he paid Ukrainian oligarchs to carry out their Maidan revolution, and he was PAYING Greenwald and Poitras to publish Snowden's supposedly traitorous information?
Something here smells to high heaven. Check out the articles published by Mark Ames of Pando.com about this whole shit show a couple years ago; they are VERY interesting.
In reply to "Snowden had copies of by USA USA
Try to educate yourself before commenting. Snowden gave ALL of the documents to reporters and trusted them to disclose them appropriately. The heavy hand of .gov jumped in and threatened the publishers and seized the documents before all were published. They should have all gone directly to WikiLeaks but it is hardly's Snowden's failure that only a fraction of the documents got published.
In reply to I agree with Masher1. Why by Implied Violins
ha! the commentors over at the moon over alabama are laughing at the zh crowd referals the way you guys complain about links from drudge. i'm liking those barflies
You're next Tyler
One has to wonder why is there such a furious finger pointing at Russia, almost as if there are some really hard questions that need to be answered by those that are desperately deflecting...
Anyone with an IQ north of single digits knows the Russia collusion thing is total bullshit. I knew from the beginning, before I even saw the ridiculousness that is the "evidence" supporting this entirely fictional narrative, (such as this goddamn dossier, created out of whole cloth by Fusion GPS) that it was a media mind control hoax. It's almost as if the fakestream media has tripled-down on trying to force feed the public with this horseshit, ever since being outed as the frauds that they are.
In reply to One has to wonder why is by Neochrome
The most disturbing aspect of it all is actually the way they are trying to sweep Seth Rich murder under the rug: Oh, he leaked DNC files and got murdered soon after, but let's not investigate that venue because lies about "democracy" are too big to fail...
In reply to Anyone with an IQ north of by ZIRPdiggler
Probably Rich' assassination and Hitlary's paranoid activity to keep herself out of trouble since she lost; all an attempt to cover the attempted overthrow of the USG into a totalitaran state run by Herself and taking her orders from the Red Shield via Soros.....
In reply to The most disturbing aspect of by Neochrome
Soros is a front man for the other faction, the Rothschilds are from the zionist faction, and they also have many front men, but Soros is definately not one of them.
In reply to Probably Rich' assassination by lakecity55
Hefe Bezos Public Enemy Numero Uno. May he RIP soon.
Russiagate is for retard normies, nobody believes that shit unles they are a shitlib and really want to. You literally can't get that retarded unless you are really trying.
Rosie O. Is a prime example of a psychotic lunatic retard liberal.
In reply to Russiagate is for retard by Intelligence_I…
Kathy Griffin, aka The Cryptkeeper isn't too far behind her on the psychotic road to libtard oblivion along with Chelsea Handler and Sara Silverman.And WTF exactly happened to Kathy Griffin's face ? ? ? She looks like a goddamn muppet now ? She needs to get all those wrinkles steamed out of her face.
In reply to Rosie O. Is a prime example by JD59
She can't afford botox / plastic / make-up any more?
In reply to Kathy Griffin, aka The by I am Groot
She's doing deep character research for her role in the upcoming live action Muppet Show.She's playing Beaker.
In reply to She can't afford botox / by PT
I don't think she is a "liberal" as much as she is just a fascist. The Neo-left fascist poster-bloat. She will always be a pig.
In reply to Rosie O. Is a prime example by JD59
That's not really Rosie, its two CIA agendists in a pig suit...still with enough room left over for their lunch boxes.
In reply to Rosie O. Is a prime example by JD59
When you get the supposed large percentage of public accepting the cAGW/MMGW bullcrap you should understand how the Russiagate BS manages to propagate so easily.
In reply to Russiagate is for retard by Intelligence_I…
It's all FUBAR PSYOPS. You can TRUST NONE OF IT.
What a stench!
There are journalists on RT and Al Jezeera- regardless of any official angle- they do employ professionals; whislt main stream media has celebrities, left or right wing opinion blowhards and Pentagon shills.
Morning Joe and Moonbeam Mika, the Edward R. Murrows of our time
Clapper, Brennan, Comey, Clinton, Morell (weasel rat bastard), Bezos, and ebay guy.......all traitors. I am waiting patiently for the perp walks and subsequent tribunal. Morell recently softened his position with regard to his Clinton-stoogery because he knows the boom is gettin' ready to drop. He is a douchebag of the highest order with zero integrity. All the smart rats jump ship first to leverage their way into a light punishment. Looks like Morell is the first rat trying to strategize his way into an optimal position for the leap into the water. Next, CNN, NBC (Never Been Correct), Viacom, Verizon et al.......these all must go. All the surveillance state apparatus and associated propaganda peddlers in the media. Dismantle them and sell for assets, if there are any. It sure ain't the "talent". Proceeds should go to a viable cryptocurrency crowdsale or businesses that actually help to liberate humanity. It definitely should not be wasted on the entitlement blackhole, aka, the entire 'gubmint liabilities' column of the federal balance sheet. I say we turn "30 Rockefeller Center" into maximum security sex offender unit: That way we wouldn't have to transport any of the "inmates" that already inhabit the building (ya know, money + connections = flight risk).
Merry Christmas Bitchez
[C]los[I]ng [A]ct: Dismantled.Impossible to clean. Operations --> [N]o [S]uch [A]gencyQhttps://archive.4plebs.org/pol/thread/148777785/#148781546
The best video ever made.. A must watch.. ZH even gave me a discrimination notice after i broke down what it is... so i wont say anything other than, just watch all of this and pass it down to everyone you know.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bu8csZ4wXs&bpctr=1514353598
This better not be a rickroll...
In reply to The best video ever made.. A by USofAzzDownWeGo
((its not))
In reply to This better not be a by Ex-Oligarch
Beelzebub Bezos is the Pretender to Buffett's & Soreass's Throne.
Bezos-Zuckerberg 2020
War is Peace!
So, it means that they are all tied up in sedition. In other words, the inner government wasn't able to rig the last election. They did however kill the Kennedy's and Martin Luther King. And they're the ones behind 911. Americans live in a fascist state.
ZH censorship sucks.Co-opted ZH sucks.Once the mighty..now a hollow shell
Bezos=POS
There is only one purpose for Russia-gate.....to drive the American population insane. We all know that the “Deep State”, TPTB, Illuminati, whatever you want to call “them”, are ALL nothing but psychopathic narcissists and the MSM (and probably a good chunk of the Alt-media) are their lap dogs. And what is the number one, go-to weapon in a psychopathic narcissist’s bag of tricks?
GASLIGHTING: A form of intimidation or psychological abuse, sometimes called Ambient Abuse where false information is presented to the victim, making them doubt their own memory, perception and quite often, their sanity. The classic example of gaslighting is to switch something around on someone that you know they're sure to notice, but then deny knowing anything about it, and to explain that they "must be imagining things" when they challenge these changes.
A more psychological definition of gaslighting is "an increasing frequency of systematically withholding factual information from, and/or providing false information to, the victim - having the gradual effect of making them anxious, confused, and less able to trust their own memory and perception.
So stop it. Get off the merry-go-round. Ignore the dueling narratives and get on with your life. If the American people do that....we beat them at their ultimate game.
Take my word on this. I was raised by one. You beat them by not by not engaging them. It drives them batsh*t crazy. And you regain your sanity get on with the business of being happy. It’s a total win-win.
In reply to There is only one purpose for by 66Mustanggirl
You are a winner MG. I hope we have more posts from you. Have you looked into gangstalking? It works pretty much the same way as gaslighting. Things happen to you but there is no way to prove that you are being targeted or harassed. People, even those who are closest to you, will simply not believe you. A rule of thumb is the following--If someone has not had the same experience as you, they will never believe you. The gangstalkers make it really obvious to the victim that he/she is being targeted, but they do it in a way that nobody else will see anything out of the ordinary. They can be quite dangerous and can off you at any time, which is why they are so nefarious. Lots of people in Europe are now being gangstalked by subscribers to the jihadist ideology. Since these gangstalkers are a protected species, there is no point to going to the police.
In reply to Take my word on this. I was by 66Mustanggirl
Many gangstalkers are model citizens, serve on Boards of Ed, physicians, teachers, plice officers, lawyers social workers, but they all have one goal in common, protection of pensions and benefits and their jobs. If anything destabalizes their piece of the pie, they will go into action.
In reply to You are a winner MG. I hope by Internet-is-Beast
They only go into action if the action doesn't involve risk for themselves. That's why any revolt against those the gangstalkers support and protect has to involve risk to the minions as well as the leaders.It's one reason why civil war is always so ... messy.
In reply to Many gangstalkers are model by what happened
You, 66Mg, have a clue. ....... (Several actually)
The only thing I will add is the fact that the 'bad guys' causing all of the doubt and confusion (gaslighting) are now using AI to run the 'mind scam' on the entire population of the planet.
Live Hard, Pure Evil Has Now Gone Full Pure Robo-Evil, Die Free
~ DC v8.2 beta
In reply to There is only one purpose for by 66Mustanggirl
Pagination