WaPo Editorial Board - Trump refuses to face reality about Russia

[TomCADem]

Nice editorial from the WaPo urging the public to demand answers to questions regarding the extent of Russia's efforts to aid Trump's election effort, as well as Trump's ongoing refusal to be transparent about his financial dealings.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump-refuses-to-face-reality-about-russia/2016/12/30/5a69d692-ceb7-11e6-a747-d03044780a02_story.html?utm_term=.e548f180f490

ALTHOUGH PRESIDENT Obama’s sanctions against Russia for interfering with the U.S. presidential election came late, his action on Thursday reflected a bipartisan consensus that penalties must be imposed for Moscow’s audacious hacking and meddling. But one prominent voice in the United States reacted differently. President-elect Donald Trump said “it’s time for our country to move on to bigger and better things.” Earlier in the week, he asserted that the “whole age of computer has made it where nobody knows exactly what is going on.”

No, Mr. Trump, it is not time to move on. U.S. intelligence agencies are in agreement about “what is going on”: a brazen and unprecedented attempt by a hostile power to covertly sway the outcome of a U.S. presidential election through the theft and release of material damaging to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The president-elect’s dismissive response only deepens unanswered questions about his ties to Russia in the past and his plans for cooperation with Vladi­mir Putin.

For his part, Mr. Putin seems to be eagerly anticipating the Trump presidency. On Friday, he promised to withhold retaliatory sanctions, clearly hoping the new Trump administration will nullify Mr. Obama’s acts. Then Mr. Trump cheered on Twitter: “Great move on delay (by V. Putin) — I always knew he was very smart!”

* * *

Why is Mr. Trump so dismissive of Russia’s dangerous behavior? Some say it is his lack of experience in foreign policy, or an oft-stated admiration for strongmen, or naivete about Russian intentions. But darker suspicions persist. Mr. Trump has steadfastly refused to be transparent about his multibillion-dollar business empire. Are there loans or deals with Russian businesses or the state that were concealed during the campaign? Are there hidden communications with Mr. Putin or his representatives? We would be thrilled to see all the doubts dispelled, but Mr. Trump’s odd behavior in the face of a clear threat from Russia, matched by Mr. Putin’s evident enthusiasm for the president-elect, cannot be easily explained.

[Cha]

1. KICK for WaPo Ed Board

[spanone]

2. K&R...

[Mc Mike]

3. Refusal to face reality is a standard rightie repug trait. Nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. Trump is facing the reality that Putin quite literally owns him;

he just doesn't want the rest of the world to know.

[Rollo]

5. Don Jr. spilled the beans...

A few years back when he flatly stated that a significant and growing portion of Trump Inc.'s funding was coming from Russia.

Western banks got tired of Trump's many bankruptcies and being left holding the bag while he still profited. So it became difficult for him to get construction loans without going to Big Red.

Conflict of interest doesn't even come close to describing the situation. We have the best president-elect rubles can buy.

[kimbutgar]

6. I wish the Obama administration would release the documents they have that show

Thumps collusion with Russia to show his supporters what a treasonous bastard he is.

[smirkymonkey]

7. K&R

[2naSalit]

8. K&R!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

9. K&R

[47of74]

13. Yep. After all he is Putin's Personal Fluffer.

[Ilsa]

10. The answers are likely "yes" and "yes" to both

questions in bold lettering at the end of the post.

Trumputin is a traitorous scumbag that belongs in a federal prison for life.

[lastlib]

11. When he says"it's time to move on," it's time to double down.

Dig harder and deeper, and don't stop digging.

[densan]

12. K&R!!!

[ffr]

14. My anxiety level as January 20th approaches.

We're in for some seriously bad news.

[tandem5]

15. Jesus "doubts dispelled"? If he tweeted "Yup, I am a Russian agent!" I still don't think the media

would be completely convinced.

[bucolic_frolic]

16. Looting public assets to pay off private bank loans

with the whole party in on the spoils

need more be said?

[USALiberal]

17. I finally subscribed to the online versions NYT and WAPost. I want more coverage of this idiot!