I have proposed a reform of the Electoral College that would return power back to state legislatures, would end the myth of “popular vote” for president, and would end voter fraud in presidential elections in every state chose this reform: place the selection of presidential electors back where it was in the first decades of the republic and have those electors chosen directly by state legislatures. As folks commenting on my article noted, we ought also to repeal the 17th Amendment and have state legislatures again reclaim the power to pick United States senators.
Category: 2012 Presidential Election
From boycotting Olympics to expelling spies, spats between Washington and Moscow go way back
Maria del Rosario Casas Ames, with face covered, and her husband, Aldrich Ames, upper left, leave a federal courthouse in 1994. He is serving a life sentence for espionage.
Did I really say that? I apologize
For your semi-faithful correspondent, 2016 has been a 12-month exercise in humility. I apologize to you, gentle reader, for the errors – all unforced – to which I subjected you.
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Cybersecurity expert Jonathan Petit claims that it’s possible to confuse a self-driving car with just $43 and a laser pointer, according to a report from Business Insider. “Today’s self-driving cars rely on spinning sensors called lidar that can cost more than $10,000 each.
Putin congratulates Trump, not Obama, in New Year’s statement
Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated US President-elect Donald Trump, rather than President Barack Obama, in his annual New Year’s greetings statement to foreign heads of state and government. However, Putin did convey his seasonal greetings to Obama, his family and the American people in a separate statement earlier Friday, while responding to the latest wave of US sanctions against Russia.
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Charles Krauthammer harshly criticized President Barack Obama during a panel discussion on Fox News Thursday evening. The conservative pundit called Obama’s new executive order raising sanctions against Russia for its government’s alleged role in influencing the 2016 election “anti-democratic” before chastising POTUS for seeking to “lock in” Trump to a fractured Oval Office.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin just crushed President Obama by refusing to play games with international diplomacy. In addition, the Putin approach immediately negates the intention of the Obama effort to create crisis with Russia.
Russian diplomatic compunds in N.Y., Md. closed
About a half-hour before the noon deadline, caravans of diplomatic vehicles, some carrying boxes, left both Russian compounds under the watch of State Department agents. The 45-acre Maryland retreat boasts a brick mansion along the Corsica River in the bucolic Eastern Shore region.
Russian hackers penetrated Vermont electric utility – Washington Post
WASHINGTON: A code associated with the Russian hacking operation dubbed Grizzly Steppe by the Obama administration has been detected within the system of a Vermont electric utility, The Washington Post reported on Friday, citing unnamed U.S. officials. The Russians did not actively use the code to disrupt operations of the utility, the officials told the Post, but penetration of the nation’s electrical grid is significant because it represents a potentially serious vulnerability.
Putin responds to US decision with unexpected warmth
The Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a message of unexpected warmth to the United States after President Barack Obama’s shock decision to expel 35 Russian diplomats over allegations of cyber hacking and meddling in the recent presidential election. Russia had been expected to retaliate by expelling American diplomats but in a surprising twist Mr Putin ruled that out and wished Americans a happy new year.
Obama’s spat with Moscow is latest in long line
In this April 28, 1994 file photo, former CIA agent Aldrich Ames leaves federal court in Alexandria, Va. U.S. relations with Moscow during and after the Cold War have been marred by diplomatic dustups ranging from espionage scandals to an Olympics boycott.
Trump: Putin ‘very smart’ for decision to withhold sanctions
Earlier, Putin discarded a recommendation from his government to impose restrictions on the US in retaliation of President Barack Obama’s decision to punish Moscow for its alleged meddling in the US presidential election. Trump immediately pinned the tweet to the top of his profile, meaning it is the first thing those visiting his page will see.
U.S. report on Democratic hacking was wake-up call for improved cybersecurity
A man driving a van with diplomatic license plates hands his identification to U.S. special agents outside an estate in the town of Oyster Bay, N.Y., on Long Island on Friday. The compound was one of two the U.S. government closed to Russian diplomats in retaliation for what the Obama administration has said was cyber-meddling in the U.S. presidential election.
Ex-CIA Officer: Putin Not Retaliating Against US an ‘Opportunity’ for Trump
The mass expulsion of Russian diplomats from the United States is a calculated political move by President Barack Obama – but it is also a solid one, retired CIA operations officer Scott Uehlinger tells Newsmax TV. “This may surprise you, but I actually believe the sanctions are appropriate given basically Russian espionage activity in this country that’s been going on for more than 10 years,” Uehlinger said Friday to Miranda Khan on “Newsmax Prime.”
With Putin, the Danger Isn’t a Non-Response
The New York Times editorial board is pleased that President Obama has taken some retaliatory actions against Vladimir Putin, but I found part of their reasoning very interesting. While it is definitely too late, and may also be too little, there should be no doubt about the correctness of President Obama ‘s decision to retaliate against Russia for hacking American computers and trying to influence the 2016 presidential election.
Russian foreign minister proposes expulsion of 35 US diplomats
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has recommended that the Kremlin expel 35 US diplomats from Russia in response to sanctions announced by Washington, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday. Lavrov said his ministry proposed the removal of 31 staff members from the US Embassy in Moscow and four from the US consulate in St Petersburg.
Putin says Russia won’t oust US diplomats in hacking flap
President Vladimir Putin has condemned a new round of U.S. sanctions against Russia but said Moscow will not retaliate by expelling American diplomats. U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia’s interference in the U.S. presidential election by hacking American political sites and email accounts.
U.S. evicts Russians for spying, imposes sanctions after election hacks
President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered the expulsion of 35 Russian suspected spies and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies over their involvement in hacking U.S. political groups in the 2016 presidential election. The measures, taken during the last days of Obama’s presidency, mark a new post-Cold War low in U.S.-Russian ties and set up a potential flashpoint between incoming President-elect Donald Trump and fellow Republicans in Congress over how to deal with Moscow.
US levels sanctions against Russia over election hacking
This image provided by the FBI shows the wanted poster for Evgeniy Bogachev. In a sweeping response to election hacking, President Barack Obama sanctioned Russian intelligence services and their top officials, kicked out 35 Russian officials and shuttered two Russian-owned compounds in the U.S. It was the strongest action the Obama administration has taken to date to retaliate for a cyberattack.
The Latest: Russia FM suggests expelling US diplomats
Russia’s foreign minister has suggested expelling 35 U.S. diplomats in response to a new round of U.S. sanctions against Moscow. U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election, as American political sites and email accounts were hacked.
Collision or collusion? Why a Secretary Romney needs to referee Trump-Putin showdown.
“Russia is our number one geopolitical foe,” was the once alarmist and antiquated view of then-Republican nominee Mitt Romney in 2012. His successor, 2016 GOP nominee and soon to be President Donald Trump Collision or collusion? Why a Secretary Romney needs to referee Trump-Putin showdown.
A convoy of vehicles with diplomatic plates drives
Sanctions and the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the United States in response to attempts to influence the U.S. presidential election are a rare physical response to ongoing and growing cyber conflicts between nations. Sanctions mark rare window into cyberwar Sanctions and the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the United States in response to attempts to influence the U.S. presidential election are a rare physical response to ongoing and growing cyber conflicts between nations.
UPDATE 1-FBI analysis fingers Russian spy agencies for U.S. election hacks
Dec 29 The FBI squarely blamed Russian intelligence services on Thursday for meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, releasing the most definitive report yet on the issue, including samples of malicious computer code said to have been used in a broad hacking campaign. Starting in mid-2015, Russia’s foreign intelligence agency, the FSB, emailed a malicious link to more than 1,000 recipients, including U.S. government targets, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a 13-page report co-authored with the Department of Homeland Security.
Israel and the damage done by Obama
In this Nov. 9, 2015, file photo, President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office of the White House. The audience – overwhelmingly Jewish, passionately pro-Israel and supremely gullible – applauded wildly.
Obama retaliates against Russia for election hacking
Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis, right, looks at US Sen. John McCain centre left, during a press conference, Wednesday in Riga, Latvia, while Lindsey Graham, R-SC., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., stand in the background. Russia can expect hard-hitting sanctions from United States lawmakers if an investigation proves that Moscow interfered in the presidential election, a U.S. senator said Wednesday during a visit to Latvia.
Rep. Franks: Sanctions Based on ‘Leaks,’ Obama Acting ‘Hypocritically’
Congress has not yet been briefed on whether Russia interfered in the presidential election, and it’s a “little premature” to come to conclusions that lead to President Barack Obama’s sanctions against Russia, Rep. Trent Franks said Thursday, and he finds it hypocritical that Obama is making such accusations. “What we’re hearing is information leaked from the intelligence community, primarily from the Barack Obama administration apparatus,” the Arizona Republican, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, told MSNBC Thursday afternoon.
new Obama retaliates against Russia for election hacking
In a sweeping response to election hacking, President Barack Obama on Thursday sanctioned Russian intelligence services and their top officials, kicked out 35 Russian officials and shuttered two Russian-owned compounds in the U.S. It was the strongest action the Obama administration has taken to date to retaliate for a cyberattack. “All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions,” Obama said in a statement released while he was vacationing in Hawaii.
Obama Sanctions Russia For Interference in the U.S. Election
President Barack Obama on Thursday authorized a series of sanctions against Russia for intervening in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and warned of more action to come. “These actions follow repeated private and public warnings that we have issued to the Russian government, and are a necessary and appropriate response to efforts to harm U.S. interests in violation of established international norms of behavior,” Obama said in a statement.
Punishment for Alleged Russian Hacking Expected to Be Announced Today
The Obama administration later today is expected to announce retaliatory steps against Russia for a cyber assault on Democratic political organizations during the 2016 presidential campaign, according to sources familiar with the matter. Federal authorities are also expected to expand on why Washington is confident that Russia was behind the hacks, which some officials believe may have influenced the U.S. presidential election .
Trump says get over election hacks as Obama prepares response to Russia for them
Amid an expectation the Obama administration will announce a series of actions to get back at Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump suggested he’d rather move on and forget about it. President Barack Obama is expected to announce on Thursday public elements of a retaliation at Russia for its role in hacks during the election, and make vague reference to covert action of some sort, but Trump said late Wednesday he thinks a response is unnecessary and the focus should be on better security to prevent hacks in the first place.
Trump says get over election hacks as Obama prepares response to Russia for them
Amid an expectation the Obama administration will announce a series of actions to get back at Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump suggested he’d rather move on and forget about it. President Barack Obama is expected to announce on Thursday public elements of a retaliation at Russia for its role in hacks during the election, and make vague reference to covert action of some sort, but Trump said late Wednesday he thinks a response is unnecessary and the focus should be on better security to prevent hacks in the first place.
U.S. set to announce response to Russian election hacking: sources
The Obama administration plans to announce on Thursday a series of retaliatory measures against Russia for hacking into U.S. political institutions and individuals and leaking information in an effort to help President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates, two U.S. officials said on Wednesday. Both officials declined to specify what actions President Barack Obama has approved, but said targeted economic sanctions, indictments, leaking information to embarrass Russian officials or oligarchs, and restrictions on Russian diplomats in the United States are among steps that have been discussed.
Obama to sanction Russia over ‘election meddling’
The Obama administration is preparing to announce a series of sanctions against Russia for meddling in the presidential election, American officials briefed on the plans told CNN on Wednesday. The actions are expected to include expanded sanctions and diplomatic measures, in what the administration deems a proportional response to a Russian operation that went beyond cyber hacking activities common among nations.
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President Barack Obama promised a fundamental transformation for America and its role in the world. But as the inept community organizer prepares to leave office, it is becoming clear that his clumsy overreach is backfiring on multiple levels.
Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel sparks hot debate
If President-elect Donald Trump wanted to show he planned to obliterate President Barack Obama’s approach to Israel, he might have found his man to deliver that message in David Friedman, his pick for U.S. ambassador. The bankruptcy lawyer and son of an Orthodox rabbi is everything Obama is not: a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements, opponent of Palestinian statehood and unrelenting defender of Israel’s government.
Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel sparks hot debate
If President-elect Donald Trump wanted to show he planned to obliterate President Barack Obama’s approach to Israel, he might have found his man to deliver that message in David Friedman, his pick for U.S. ambassador. The bankruptcy lawyer and son of an Orthodox rabbi is everything Obama is not: a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements, opponent of Palestinian statehood and unrelenting defender of Israel’s government.
BC-AP News Digest 6 pm
NEW YEAR’S HOPES – Emotionally wrenching politics, foreign conflicts and shootings at home took a toll on Americans in 2016, but they are entering 2017 on an optimistic note, according to a new poll that found that a majority believes things are going to get better for the country next year. By Emily Swanson and Verena Dobnik.
BC-AP News Digest 6 pm
NEW YEAR’S HOPES – Emotionally wrenching politics, foreign conflicts and shootings at home took a toll on Americans in 2016, but they are entering 2017 on an optimistic note, according to a new poll that found that a majority believes things are going to get better for the country next year. By Emily Swanson and Verena Dobnik.
Trumps pick for ambassador to Israel sparks hot debate
If President-elect Donald Trump wanted to show he planned to obliterate President Barack Obama’s approach to Israel, he might have found his man to deliver that message in David Friedman, his pick for U.S. ambassador. The bankruptcy lawyer and son of an Orthodox rabbi is everything Obama is not: a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements, opponent of Palestinian statehood and unrelenting defender of Israel’s government.
Trump’s pick for ambassador to Israel has all sides on edge
If President-elect Donald Trump wanted to show he planned to obliterate President Barack Obama’s approach to Israel, he may have found his man to deliver that message in David Friedman, his pick for US ambassador. The bankruptcy lawyer and son of an Orthodox rabbi is everything Obama is not: a fervent supporter of Israeli settlements, opponent of Palestinian statehood and unrelenting defender of Israel’s government.