President-elect Trump

[sexobon]

Our Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of government provide a system of checks and balances for political power.

The Electoral College does much the same for the power of the popular vote.

Without it, the people in high density population areas could collectively control the Presidency even though their geographical area is diminutive (see post #32). That would not work so well for such a large and diverse country.

[classicman]

I saw it simplistically explained this way - The states elect the president, not the people. FTR - Trump won 32-18, I believe.

[Happy Monkey]

Vision of the future (twitter link). The tweet is difficult to quote, but it includes quotes from both Trump and Bannon suggesting deliberately destroying the US government so it can be remade in their image. Trump, as a hypothetical, and Bannon as a deliberate goal.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Trump will put a stop to this shit.. unless he can find a way to profit from it.

[classicman]

1979 ... wonder about those numbers today.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I'll bet they're worse.

[xoxoxoBruce]

The Washington Post reported the CIA briefed the Congressional security people back in September on the Russians fucking with the election.

The CIA shared its latest assessment with key senators in a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill last week, in which agency officials cited a growing body of intelligence from multiple sources. Agency briefers told the senators it was now “quite clear” that electing Trump was Russia’s goal, according to the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.

The CIA presentation to senators about Russia’s intentions fell short of a formal U.S. assessment produced by all 17 intelligence agencies. A senior U.S. official said there were minor disagreements among intelligence officials about the agency’s assessment, in part because some questions remain unanswered.

What? 17 fucking intelligence agencies? Who are they? Have we ever heard of them? 17 agencies?

[Happy Monkey]

This list is apparently missing one.

[xoxoxoBruce]

NSA?

According to a 2008 study by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, private contractors make up 29% of the workforce in the U.S. intelligence community and account for 49% of their personnel budgets.[3]

Oh what a tangled web we weave...

[sexobon]

You don't hear much about the PIA (Peripheral Intelligence Agency). The other agencies don't like to mention them; because, the PIA's only job is to spy on the other intelligence agencies to find their security weaknesses before foreign powers can find and exploit them. The PIA is headquartered Las Vegas and their budget is classified.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Do other agencies call PIA, pain in the ass?

[sexobon]

You catch on quick.

[Undertoad]

Agency briefers told the senators it was now "quite clear" that electing Trump was Russia's goal

Shockingly, they went on to tell the senators that this is how this has always worked, in every election, ever; and that not only Russia, but every nation on earth has interests and tries to influence every election on their own behalf.

[Griff]

I'm particularly appalled that they used the actual words of Clinton's supporters to create the picture of her people not giving a flying fuck for white working class America.

[sexobon]

That lends credence to the argument that Clinton supporters should be seen and not heard.