Regarding Flynn, why would he lobby for Turkey?

[Equinox Moon]

I don't understand what this is about. Who did he lobby on behalf of Turkey? What is the difference between this and being a spy for another country?

He is a retired US General, what was he doing?

[canetoad]

1. Surprisingly, Russian links

The Turkish man who gave Mike Flynn a $600,000 lobbying deal just before President Donald Trump picked him to be national security adviser has business ties to Russia, including a 2009 aviation financing deal negotiated with Vladimir Putin, according to court records.

The man, Ekim Alptekin, has in recent years helped to coordinate Turkish lobbying in Washington with Dmitri “David” Zaikin, a Soviet-born former executive in Russian energy and mining companies who also has had dealings with Putin’s government, according to three people with direct knowledge of the activities.

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/25/michael-flynn-turkey-russia-237550

[NWCorona]

2. Turkey wants the US to extradite Fethullah Glen in a big way. That's my take.

[Equinox Moon]

3. So to lobby for Turkey means he lobbies the US congress on

behalf of Turkey?

I need a very rudimentary understanding here.

[NWCorona]

8. Turkey wants someone on the inside to push Erdogan's agenda.

I'm not saying that this is the case with Flynn but I wouldn't be surprised. Trump is already more open to Turkey when Obama rightfully soured on Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian moves.

[Equinox Moon]

10. Thanks.

I did not realize that Americans lobbied congress on behalf of other countries. How bizarre. That sounds illegal, if it isn't it should be.

[bettyellen]

13. They are supposed to register as an agent of that country to do so....

That's why hiding it is criminal.

[PJMcK]

4. Because Turkey was willing to pay him lots of money

When you ask, "what was he doing?" I can only say, he was doing what far too many retired military and government people do following their national service: they cash out.

How hard is it to believe that General Flynn saw the money being offered yet never once considered the ramifications of accepting the money? These people seem to have very flexible-- or nonexistent-- morals.

To answer your question, "what was he doing?" let me say this: he was being a typical Republican jackass and putting his own personal interests ahead of our nation's concerns. He was using his position of influence and knowledge to line his own pockets. He is corrupt to the core and it amazes me that he could hypocritically stand in front of the nation and call for Secretary Clinton's jailing.

Charge him as the treasonous bastard that he is. Give him a fair trial then lock him up.

[Equinox Moon]

9. Thanks for your comments.

I appreciate it.

Okay, for the money and he was an idiot not thinking it through. On a very rudimentary level, lobby who for what? Would he lobby the US congress for things Turkey wants? I am naive about this.

And it will be a clip that goes down in history: Flynn, the poster boy for trumpians hypocrisy with all that "get-Hillary" crap.

[Recursion]

5. Money

They paid him to.

[pnwmom]

6. It was the easiest way for Russia to pay him in advance

for his new job of being a mole in the DT administration.

[Equinox Moon]

7. Ooohhh, that is interesting.

Very clever of you pnwmom.

[KelleyKramer]

11. I can give you 500,000 reasons

Sometimes it really is that simple

[MedusaX]

12. Russia needs alliance with Turkey

It has to do with Russia's desire to be in control of the Black Sea...
that's also why Crimea is so important to Russia...

It's all about Vlad's need for a way to project Russia as having strong geopolitical power...

If Turkey is his pal ..
vlad gets prime Naval position plus control over trade ports in Black Sea
(plus Exxon & Rosneft have Exploration/Exploitation rights in Black Sea)

And it is a WIN WIN for vlad if US is not actively supporting UN / NATO because then He can really benefit from his alliance with Turkey
as Turkey is likely to follow US lead w/regards to UN / NATO stances (so he could get away with questionable practices)....

Vlad likely offered Flynn as a gift to Turkey --
a pro Russia /Pro Turkey Mole in the US National Security Director's seat