OK, I'm going there. Anyone else ponder this thought about the attacks on our president?

[blue-wave]

I think the whole thing stinks of another Russian propaganda coup. Our security agencies need to shut the orc propagandists down, stat.
We are starting to see proof of the Ruzzian meddling again:


Russian election meddlers hurting Biden, helping Trump, US intelligence warns
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143269439

Russia operated nearly 1,000 sock puppet accounts on X, Justice Department says
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/russia-operated-nearly-1000-sock-puppet-accounts-x-justice-department-rcna161004

[Peacetrain]

1. Honestly that has crossed my mind more than once

They would give anything to get Trump back in office so they could destroy Ukraine

[jimfields33]

38. Only problem is that the complaint are coming from

actual media and politicians and not outside people.

[soldierant]

44. "actual media"

is almost as susceptible to propoganda as MAGA. They want a "horse race" becaause it's good for clicks/ratings/sales.

I admit the actual politicians worry me. I sent a letter to my Senator this morning - very polite, but very clear than I think he's wrong. And this is Michael Bennet, who has a great record. I'm disappointed and angry,but, as I say, I was polite.

[blue-wave]

50. They mercilessly attacked

Hillary in a similar fashion and she lost the electoral college vote. Now the same type of scream machine is attacking Biden. No doubt in my mind. We have moles, with Kremlin encouragement, somewhere in our system, that are able to manipulate the media into a frenzy against those who Putin doesn't like.

[GoCubsGo]

2. It's a given that there is Russian meddling.

Also, Saudi, Chinese, and a host of others.+

[Dale in Laurel MD]

3. I think it goes without saying.

nt

[kimbutgar]

4. I've been having those same feelings also

I don’t want to be conspiratorial but this is so similar to what they did to Hillary Clinton and President Biden also.

I just want to know why internet postings that originate in russia can’t be stopped here?

[soldierant]

47. Not all Russian troll farms are physically in Russia

but even if they were, thre are such things as VPNs.

Trey Crowder - the "Liberal Redneck" - one of his sponsors is a VPN provider which he says can make it appear he is in any country - and get him past blockers to see whatever from anywhere. And that is exactly the kind of thing Russia is really good at.

[jmbar2]

5. It's likely, but doesn't explain why our media and democratic reps are doing all the heavy lifting

[GoreWon2000]

6. The media is pro GOP and dem traitors want their 15 minutes of fame

Both will think differently if their efforts succeed in getting dictator tRump back in the White House and there's no more freedom of the press and no more dems allowed in Congress.

[Susan Calvin]

37. Oh in that case

I think those dems would turn R, and the media would parrot what it was told. They'd both still get their attention and money.

[HubertHeaver]

23. Mark those "democrats".

Primary the traitors. We do not need these two-faced f-ers.

[Blue Full Moon]

42. Facist always

Infiltrate the opposition party.

[soldierant]

45. Panic.

and a few are probably susceptible to blackmail. But I think mostly panic.

[unblock]

7. Absolutely. The reaction to the debate is completely out of whack

If Biden had literally collapsed or had a stroke on stage, all this discussion would make sense.

But he stood the entire time, made cogent point after point, was responsible and engaged, and the worst of it was he sounded what, a little tired, had a cold?

To make this out to be something that should disqualify him from the nomination even after he won nearly all the delegates just a few months ago?

This shit does not happen organically.

[LAS14]

8. Oh, for crying out loud. nt

[Elessar Zappa]

11. Are you denying that Russians try to divide Americans?

[LAS14]

14. Not at all. nt

[muriel_volestrangler]

53. It's the kneejerk "things aren't going DU's way - it must be the Russians" claims that are ridiculous

It does look rather laughable, and makes the site look embarrassing. This month, it's the problematic debate behaviour, which the whole world looked at and said "wow" about at once, and saying "this is a Russian plot" is the kind of thing that used to belong in the Creative Speculation group.

[sop]

9. If the Russians are behind this, then it's clear our Fourth Estate has become a Fifth Column.

[ProfessorPlum]

15. Really? The entire Fourth Estate?

wtf

[sop]

21. Yes, Professor, the entire Fourth Estate, every last one of them, they're all foreign agents employed by Putin.

You know, taking things too literally can be a problem.

[ProfessorPlum]

22. as can hyperbole

[Brenda]

33. It's the new DU.

Not necessarily hyperbole, more like delusion.

[Mad_Machine76]

10. Didn't DOJ just shut a bot farm down?

[Fiendish Thingy]

12. Do you think they've brainwashed Pelosi, Clooney, etc?

[Silent Type]

51. Good question.

[Norbert]

13. Maybe the easiest way to defeat Ukraine is to...

Stop the spigot of money and arms coming from the US. A trump win would likely do the trick.

[NoveltySocks]

16. They're amplifying things for sure.

[Bev54]

17. Didn't they just shut down a large Russian bot farm?

It seems to me they are onto them.

[Sympthsical]

18. Could we have a list of journalists and representatives Russia is currently controlling?

Since the current political ruckus mainly centers on party donors, some of our own representatives, and various media figures with major newspapers and networks, it would seem the implication must be Russia is influencing them in some way.

I see people have been informally drawing up their own lists, but I say we centralize it. Maybe form a group of people to organize it so we're on the same page. A kind of committee, even.

We need to be efficient about these things.

[NotASurfer]

19. No doubt in my mind the trolls are amplifying this

When I don't see any facts or credible sources, it immediately looks like an amplification effort.

[2naSalit]

20. Pretty sure...

They were in full scream ahead mode since, at least, the primaries last time around in 2016.

Last week I mentioned the bullshit spewing machine running full on, non-stop from now on.

Just know your truth, don't get riled about the crap thrown in your direction, keep your eyes on the prize.

[dlk]

24. To be sure, Putin has his minions and trolls working overtime to tank Biden's candidacy

Putin wants his useful idiot back.

[Probatim]

25. Remember the cries of a Global Liberal Cabal planning to take over the world?

If we're correct in saying "every accusation is a confession", I think we'd all agree it's more likely a Global Fascist Cabal working together to subvert democracy. If the US fails, a lot of European social democratic states won't be far behind.

The wealth and power of some of these people knows no bounds and isn't confined to a single country. It's possible the goals of the governments of Russia, China, and Saudi Arabia line up well with ultrarich asshats like Musk and others with his wealth.

Add in the huge tax cuts to the wealthy that are expiring and it's a no-brainer they're working together.

[Cheezoholic]

26. I think anybody who gets their news info from social media deserves a Red Forman

Unfortunately Reds foot would get really tired

[Pisces]

27. No, I'm not a conspiracy theorist like MAGA! I have eyes and ears and

Watched the debate

[IbogaProject]

28. Propaganda by the Wealthy

Wealth both domestic and foreign has infected our electorial process via the Citizen's United decision.

[Progressive dog]

29. They're in on it, I' yhink

but they're sure not the only ones.

[surfered]

30. It's no secret that Putin wants Trump to be President.

[Stinky The Clown]

31. I agree and said same here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219129444

[totodeinhere]

32. I don't see how the Russians could get those Democratic lawmakers

who are calling for President Biden to withdraw to do that. And how are the Russians getting people like James Carville and David Axelrod to say what they are saying? Come on now. I think you are really grasping at straws here.

[BumRushDaShow]

43. "I don't see how the Russians could get those Democratic lawmakers"

Go look up HISTORY of "those Democratic lawmakers" and their past myriad of complaints against the administration.

You will find a little group who have been protesting the administration's I/P policy and support for Israel (bent into support for Netanyahu)

You will find some who were pissed off at the administration's handling of J6 (e.g., DOJ - see Schiff)

You will find some who were jockeying for attention way back in 2022 - https://apnews.com/article/biden-new-york-manhattan-elections-carolyn-maloney-b1869cf148f5af5690f3d3e03099451f

and on and on.

When you know there is already a disaffected group, it's easy to stir the pot through whispers and rumors and innuendos.

Remember it's like herding cats and it has been remarkable the past 3.5 years with the unity. But that was only going to last for some brief period.

[DemocratInPa]

48. Was just going to say this.

I have a hard tim believing Russia is influencing Pelosi, Tester, Bennett, and Schiff who all are Pro-Ukraine.

[Wingus Dingus]

34. I'm sure there's an element of that--sowing division or apathy is our party always helpful to

GOPers and Putin.

[Eyeball_Kid]

35. Hey! Send that over to the NYT! I'm sure that they'll put in on Page 1! n/t

[Model35mech]

36. I don't think it's Russia. Though it might come from an international organization

associated with a country that has a large number of Russian immigrants.

[mountain grammy]

39. Hey don't look at me.. I've drunk the koolaid and taken my crazy pills

I still think Joe was drugged the night of the debate and the ongoing attacks are from Russia with love. I'm serious.

Please don't report me

[URL=/gif/i-got-nowhere-else-to-go-an-officer-and-a-gentleman-46-movie-clip-1982-hd-oNoFkb][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[Patton French]

40. No, the democratic lawmakers and other well known democrats are not part of another Russian propaganda coup

No doubt foreign actors, especially the Russians, sow division and try to prop up Trump, but not everything is a Russian coup. There can be honest and sincere disagreements.

[ancianita]

41. Sure. But when AI's involved, it's pretty hard not to have state level (as in DOJ) investigating.

Here's what the Justice Dept just did:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-leads-efforts-among-federal-international-and-private-sector-partners?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0HBZaX5ozxXGCmn0FswLjOVbPV7guE54yxVsRSty7XXgXYFyqeRdsBbEk_aem_x8k0GOpPtXDX-3-7YTOxQQ

Our party divisions might be the result of some Dems believing all the hype, but it might be corporate hype as much as Russian hype.

We'll have to leave it to counterintel work, and intel agencies, to find out. And just because they know and show 'duty to warn', they can't go out and issue warrants and set up investigations.

[Kaleva]

46. Biden himself said he had a bad night

[Skittles]

49. or maybe

people are just concerned the debate was not an isolated incident - imagine that

[Chakaconcarne]

52. I'm wondering of media heads and/or journalists are getting some kind of threat...