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From channel 7 in San Francisco:
It would be easy to dismiss this as some fringe group trying to make California into its own country, but former intelligence officials tell the ABC7 News I-Team the ballot initiative leader's ties to Russia raise serious questions.
Louis Marinelli has received support in Russia from a far-right nationalist group that wants to break up the United States. Former intelligence officials say that association raises serious questions about his intent.
"You don't need this to be involved in California's campaign for independence," Marinelli said holding up an American flag.
He's the leader of the Yes California campaign, also dubbed Calexit. Marinelli is an American who lives in Russia, but his movement is getting a lot of attention stateside.
A recent Reuters poll found one in three Californians support the idea of withdrawing from the United States.
(Score: 2) by BK on Sunday February 19 2017, @03:09PM
There have been stories in the regular media, and discussed here, about Russian involvement, or interest, or interference, in other nations' politics and political process. Yes, I'm talking about the DNC and HRC stuff (which Assange still denies came from the Russians, if you find him credible) and the connections to Trump appointees, but also the apparent/alleged interference that may be ongoing in France and now Germany.
A Russian connection at the top of a 'revolutionary' movement aiming to divide another country is interesting, particularly in light of those other things...
...but you HAVE heard of me.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Sunday February 19 2017, @04:58PM
Russia is a big, powerful nation. Their old government went bankrupt, and they are no longer a "superpower", but they are still huge and powerful. It would be pretty amazing if they DID NOT attempt to influence politics, policies, and more around the world.
The US and UK, and their fan club, certainly does the same. We routinely approve and/or condemn elections in far off lands that have no direct affect on us. We hack their governmental networks, monitor their actions, track their militaries, and so very much more. We even spy on all their citizens, when and where possible. We even drone citizens that we take special dislike to.
I grew up in the 50's and 60's. We had nuclear attack shelter drills in my first couple years in school. Later, I served aboard ships actively engaged in the Cold War. I hated the Commies. But, I never hated the Russians.
Our government, on the other hand, needs someone to hate. Deflect attention from internal problems to outside problems, even if you have to create the problems to be feared. We saw that to some extent with the past election. The DNC never much cared about Russia, if anything they liked Russia for being commies. But, allow a little party corruption to surface, add an opponent who does have Russian ties, and suddenly, Russia is the most evil entity in the history of the earth.
To date, I've seen diddly squat from the Russians to be really concerned about. That includes Georgia and Ukraine. The west meddled in internal affairs in both countries, and at worst, Russia did some house cleaning to protect it's own ethnic Russians, many of whom were Russian citizens anyway.
As always, your opinion is just as valid as my own. But, I would thank you if you did not help the government to generate fear of Russia and Russians. Like most other nations, Russia has a screwed up government, no better than our own. But, it isn't "evil", nor are they actively pursuing a policy of overthrowing the US government.
For such a policy, you would to better to look at China, and their Assassin's Mace. https://www.wired.com/2009/07/china-looks-to-undermine-us-power-with-assassins-mace/ [wired.com]
Of even more concern, you might look at Islam's goal to rule the world.
Given a choice between China and Islam, I'd rather the Chinese ruled us. Given a choice between Russian and China, we would have a much better chance with Russia. But, Russia doesn't want to conquer the US.
(Score: 2) by Sulla on Sunday February 19 2017, @07:46PM
One of my favorite things said by Trump so far was that deal with OReilly calling Putin a killer
-You think we're so innocent?
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 20 2017, @01:11AM
You beat me to it.
...and any day now, I'm expecting Donnie Tiny Hands to let it slip that USA has more hackers than anybody else and that they're more successful than anybody else.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 20 2017, @07:40AM
Be more accurate here. It’s only a particular sect of Muslims who actually believe in that goal, the Wahhabi. They are to Islam what the Westboro Baptist Church or the other extreme Dominionist Christian denominations are to Christianity. The vast majority of other Muslims would gladly coexist with people of other faiths and do not consider it their duty to conquer the world, and consider the Wahhabiists a vile and misguided sect. The only problem is, Wahhabi Islam is the state religion of Saudi Arabia, and the Saudis have been using their petroleum profits to spread the Wahhabi gospel around the world. Think about that the next time you fill your gas guzzler.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Monday February 20 2017, @12:11PM
You are either deluded, or a liar. Islam conquered all of Northern Africa, much of Asia, and nearly half of Europe, long centuries BEFORE the Wahhabi came into existence. The vast majority of all Muslims want to see the return of the Caliphate, and they want to see Sharia imposed upon the world.
The world is fortunate that Islam is splintered, and we are even more fortunate that the ass clowns in ISIS/ISIL/DAESH have alienated huge portions of Islam. If the leaders of DAESH had been better men, had they been deemed "righeous" by a large majority of imams around the world, we would be looking at a holy war that would be very nearly unstoppable. Even more unstoppable, considering the fact that so many western nations are led by deluded progressive/liberal people who simply don't have a clue.
Last century provided us with several examples of insane and damned near insane leaders slaughtering tens of millions of people. And, like ignorant apes, we refuse to learn from history.
Islam has the potential to destroy today's civilization. They have the will to do so. They only await the right leader, and the right set of circumstances to go into action. They await the return of the Hidden Caliph. Have you ever heard of "self fulfilling prophecies"? You would do well to study the concept.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Sunday February 19 2017, @05:02PM
Bahhh, I gave you the wrong link for Assassin's Mace - try this one: https://nypost.com/2015/02/08/chinas-secret-plan-to-topple-the-us-as-the-worlds-superpower/ [nypost.com]