We have a problem in America. (The problem extends around the world, but I am most intimately familiar with what goes on here.) We have government officials (and political flacks) who never answer THE question. They deflect, they modify the question so that their canned answer can be employed- without providing the answer to that burning question that was posed.

Which brings up the 10 month long controversy about Russia, Putin, and the American Elections. (We can discuss France, which clearly handled the situation better, at a later date.) That has been the political issue.

The basic premise brings us a plethora of side issues. Did Trump personally deal with Putin and the Russians? Directly- the answer seems to be no. But, let us NOT forget that Trump EMPHATICALLY called for Putin and his minions to hack the DNC, Hillary, and the opposition when he was running for President. (Check 25-27 July 2016 for the true facts- not the ones you wish someone did or didn’t say.) That alone would have made him a suspect- but there’s more (and less).

Or, the fact that Trump felt compelled to share a secret that was given to the US by Israel- jeopardizing the  methodology of exposure and Israel- that ISIS was preparing a new set of attacks using computers and hand held devices on airplanes.  (This is the reason behind the banning of electronic devices on flights coming to America.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNa2B5zHfbQ

We also have Jared Kushner, Jeff Sessions, and Michael Flynn (just to name a few) who’ve spent many times lying about their contacts with Russian government officials. The fact that they “forgot” they met these folks and didn’t mention it on their security documents- and still have positions in government service is pretty amazing. (Could you imagine a similar “allowance” afforded those who worked for Obama? If you can, please tell me what wine you are drinking- I have to get me some of that stuff.)

Despite Jeff Sessions ability to forget all these encounters  with Russian ambassadors , he absolutely remembers that he is not guilty of discussing anything with the Russians, as he so averred last week.  (One of the few things he would actually discuss when testifying to the US Senate.)  Moreover, Sessions stated that any claims to the contrary are “despicable lies”.   Yup, Jeff.  Just like you have been an advocate for civil rights your whole life.

But, to be honest, the Russians HAVE succeeded in their plans and efforts. I doubt very much they really cared if Trump were to be President. (I don’t have a lot of faith in the veracity of those “movies” of Trump turning up, so forgot those bribable moments.)  But, I am certain Putin didn’t want Hillary- as our most others.

And, it’s pretty clear – but not proven beyond a shadow of doubt- that Flynn clearly reassured the Russians that the sanctions would be alleviated. Because Putin has NEVER not retaliated before. Moreover, we know that – with no public discussion- Trump has been arranging to return the two spy centers in the US to Putin, that were divested as part of the sanctions Obama imposed. As a reward for…? (Your guess has to be better than mine.)

What the Russians really wanted was to sow discontent among Americans. Not that we aren’t effective at doing this ourselves, but when [uninformed? incompetent? indolent? nefarious?] folks (your choice of adjective) spread “facts” that were provided by the Russians that have as much truth behind them as “Trump’s inauguration was the best attended ever” or that “Trump won the popular vote”, you have to wonder. (Not why- because these folks don’t really care about facts; they just want affirmation that their idiotic notions are not as idiotic as the rest of us know they are.)

What the Russians didn’t do was hack our election machines. We hope. (Maybe they did- in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or Michigan? No, I’m not being serious about those claims.)

But, that kind of hacking can be done. Not just as we saw on an episode of “the Good Wife”. Or, as occurs routinely in Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria, and a slew of other countries.

The reason why Karl Rove was adamant that the networks couldn’t call the 2012 election for Obama- because there was no way Obama could win Ohio- has just been reported. Rove was stating “This is premature” when the Ohio primary results were being pronounced for Obama, because he was certain he knew what the vote was.

Because Rove was rigging the Ohio electronic voting machines to render Mitt Romney the winner in Ohio. (It was also claimed that Rove did just this previously in 2004, to ensure Bush’s reelection. [Same source.]) Except in 2012, Anonymous (the hacker collective) had also been informed about Rove’s plans. And, they figured out how to outsmart Rove.

Now, I don’t want to rely on Anonymous- who I consider a most nefarious group- to protect the integrity of the American election system. I want that to be done by the US Government. I want our machines replaced by ones that can protect us from the Russians, from Rove, or from any other person (or lobbying group with unlimited funds) screwing around with election results.

And, while we’re at it, we should start prosecuting folks who promulgate fake news. Whether it’s done by the Russians or Kellyanne Conway.