Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	The scariest scenario
Date:	10/1/2016 6:20:35 PM

During this election season, we have seen some new developments in terms of how the candidates campaign, how they organize & promote various storylines that will embellish their credentials and denigrate their opponent’s qualifications.  We’ve even seen the use of unpaid advertising that comes from media attention to outrageous & larger-than-life behavior.  So much is different this time around…..

            But I’ve been thinking there are other things going on…. Just beneath the radar of both conservatives AND liberals this year.  And those things might just turn out to be more important than we know, IMO. 

            Hackers from Eastern Europe… most likely Russia… have been regularly intruding into the computers of the Democratic Committee, the GOP, even now state election systems.   We know that the Russians released emails that revealed information about what the likes of Colin Powell thinks about the candidates, about strategies within the DNC, etc.   The purpose of those releases so far seems to be to sow disruption and create argument within the body politic.

            Thinking about why this matters brings me to a scary thought.   What if the ultimate aim of Russian hacking is not to elect one candidate over the other … but simply to create doubt about the integrity of the election?   What would be the effect on us if we lost confidence that we could vote and have those votes fairly counted?

            Perhaps the real motive of Russian hacking is just that….  to make us doubt that the outcome of a national election was clean, fair, and ultimately that the right person takes that seat in the Oval Office? 

            Watching here on the forum, I’d say that rumors are already underway to cast doubt on this election if Trump loses.  Donald Trump is already openly promoting the idea that “the election is rigged”, and you can imagine what that narrative is going to sound like if he loses the election in November.     

But it is also possible that Clinton supporters like me could be looped into doubting the legitimacy of an outcome we don’t like.   Either way, we could end up with a sharply divided country where conflicts about the legitimacy of our leadership increasingly undermines the ability of the US to function as a stable democracy. 

            Fundamentally, I think Putin is probably using the tactics of a KGB trained professional… his manipulations designed to shape public opinion in his ‘target’ country… If Putin can play up the already existing doubt that many US citizens have about their government, he will have won a huge prize… and we will have fallen deeper into a trap of our own making.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	The scariest scenario
Date:	10/1/2016 7:12:17 PM

You just take Democrat talking points as gospel. There has been NO evidence the DNC leaked emails came from Russia. In fact just the  opposite. The hero Julian Assange as much as said they come from an inside source,  most likely the young staffer who was killed I  the robbery that took nothing,  not even his expensive watch.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Copper-idiot
Date:	10/1/2016 9:02:20 PM

O-BAMMIE is behind all this election tampering krap.  He is putting out this krap so he can void the election and declare martial law, then he will declare himself Czar of America.  I read it in HuffPo, just ask Goof-Idiot.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	The scariest scenario
Date:	10/2/2016 11:10:04 AM

That is scary indeed.  No doubt that no matter how this election comes out, some people will say that Russia manipulated the results.   But what makes it more scary is what else they may be able to manipulate - communication grids, power grids, etc.  Emails are small potatoes.

For the record, I think people already doubt the political system in this country.

Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	The scariest scenario
Date:	10/2/2016 11:14:07 AM

LOL!  

I guess my thinking that we should be really careful to avoid being manipulated by rumors & such comes a little late for some folks.....

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	The scariest scenario
Date:	10/2/2016 11:52:49 AM

I have been aware of the vulnerability of our grid system for years and the dangers that it it imposes for our country.  The fact that the Russians maybe able to create doubt in our own political system?  Well, periodically people call me from overseas and tell me there is a problem with my computer and want me to agree for them to take it over, so they can fix it.  What they really want is to plant a bug in my computer that will allow them access to all of my data.

I already doubt a political system that leaves us with the two choices we have. I don't need the Russians.

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Hey Hound
Date:	10/2/2016 3:09:15 PM (updated 10/2/2016 3:12:06 PM)

Based on Trump's oft expressed admiration for Putin and his statements about how wonderful it will be when a Trump administration become a good friend to Russia, be prepared to add the President of the United States to your manipulation list if Trump is elected.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Hey Architect
Date:	10/2/2016 6:13:04 PM

We need to have better relations with Russia, so bugger off, will you please.

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Hey Architect
Date:	10/2/2016 7:04:26 PM

I agree, but at what cost?  Bugger off...you seem a bit on edge.  Is it my factual revelations or Trump's unending antics that are unnerving you so?