Why haven't Dems been clearer that Russia is our enemy?

[coti]

They rarely, if ever, use language making clear that Russia attacked our country. Russia attacked the integrity of the very foundation of our democracy, our elections. If Dems spoke of this in stronger terms, more often, it would be much more difficult for Trump and the other colluders/traitors (like Senate Repubs) to get away with things like easing sanctions on terrible people like Oleg Deripaska.

In fact, people never seem to remember that is in the responsibility of Congress to declare war. Pelosi should be able to force our conflict with Russia into the limelight through legislation short of declaring outright war, referred to as an "authorization for the use of military force" (AUMF) here:

https://history.house.gov/Institution/Origins-Development/War-Powers/

At the very least, the hacking and intelligence agencies responsibility for the attacks on our democracy could be targeted by our military directly, with precision. Truly, the more we learn about what has happened the last few years, the more money and manpower we are seeing from Russia being used for the purpose of unraveling our nation's cultural and political fabric. And it's working. So why isn't anyone talking about our country defending itself?

[maxsolomon]

1. Because nothing is Black & White

For instance:

Rusher is also our only way to get to the ISS.

Rusher also sells Western Europe huge amounts of oil and gas.

This requires the Dems, who are adults (as opposed to President Bullshit), to show a modicum of restraint in their public statements.

[coti]

4. Even downplaying the significance of the attack in the broader scheme of things, though,

we could very precisely target those Russian elements that went after us. It seems like it could help deter future attacks to make some nerdy hacker think twice about showing up to work.

Regardless, I think what I'm trying to point out here is that it's important for us to fully recognize what's happened and the damage that's been done, to bring it to the forefront of our politics. The Republicans see that the Dems have failed to do this, and are covering for Trump as a result, perhaps even regretfully "having" to do so as a result of the Dem's failure, as opposed to "taking advantage" of the failure. The Dems haven't carried out their responsibility as the opposition party if the Repubs feel more pressure to support further collusion than they feel to oppose it.

It's unbelievable that Trump could get away with scaling back sanctions on a man who participated in a direct attack on our country. In many ways, this attack (including Trump's presidency as part of the attack) has been more successful than previous, violent attacks against our country because it's been so effective in undermining our institutions, discourse and democratic principles. The very bedrock of our country has been damaged by this.

Pelosi needs to find a way to contrast those are defending our country from those defending their party, and a traitor.

[maxsolomon]

5. Its a thumb in the eye of the Dems

And that's the point.

"I can collaborate with the Rooshins and you can't stop it".

[Hoyt]

2. Personally think we've made Russia an enemy too long. trump & his supporters are where blame lies.

We've meddled/interfered/bullied Russia, as much as they have us. So, making them an enemy is not productive, IMO.

To the extent Ruskies might have swung the 2016 election, that is our fault for not stopping them or adequately responding to their misinformation. Hope we are ready next time.

[uponit7771]

3. +1, Putin was enabled by his whore Trump and Trump's campaign

[coti]

6. I see it the opposite, at least with regard to Trump. I agree that Trump voters take a huge

portion of the responsibility for this, but I see them as being led by Putin, in this broader, years-long attack on the US, rather than Trump. Russia has been funneling anti-democratic, authoritarian ideas into the US (and Europe, too) for many years, now. Those ideas just got a foothold with Trump.

[Hoyt]

9. So, you wanna bomb Russia too? I suggest beating them at their own game, and weeding out the trumps

[maxsolomon]

8. Putin should be our enemy

He is a criminal, and he runs Russia's government as a criminal enterprise, corrupting people, businesses and governments across the globe. He kills opponents with impunity.

We will not be ready next time. We are too fractious and avaricious to present a unified defense - that is the weakness of the West.

[cynatnite]

7. It's more difficult when you can't see the battle...

Putin's attack on the US was cyber and that's more difficult to quantify.

It's why tRump can go on TV and repeat Putin talking points without much backlash.

Other than sanctions, our only options are the criminal investigations. I do think the slow drip of what comes out of Mueller's investigation is making a difference in how most Americans see Putin.