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Russia Is Accusing the US of 'Direct Interference' In Its Elections (businessinsider.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the two-can-play-that-game dept.

schwit1 shares a report from Business Insider (alternative source): Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Tuesday accused the U.S. of a "direct interference in our electoral process and internal affairs" following the State Department's criticism of Russia's decision to bar opposition leader Alexey Navalny from running in the upcoming presidential election against Vladimir Putin. "This State Department statement, which I'm sure will be repeated, is a direct interference in our electoral process and internal affairs," Zakharova wrote Tuesday on Facebook. In a statement shared with Business Insider on Tuesday night, a State Department spokesperson expressed concern over the Russian government's "ongoing crackdown against independent voices, from journalists to civil society activists and opposition politicians." "These actions indicate the Russian government has failed to protect space in Russia for the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms," the statement said. "More broadly, we urge the government of Russia to hold genuine elections that are transparent, fair, and free and that guarantee the free expression of the will of the people, consistent with its international human rights obligations." Zakharova pushed back. "And these people expressed outrage over alleged Russian 'interference' in their electoral process for an entire year?!" she said.

"Pointing out that the Kremlin is interfering in its own election is not interference," adds schwit1.


14 of 195 comments (clear)

  1. Pot, Kettle, Black by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Russia's Precious Snowflake, Putin, can't handle the heat? Is that what I'm hearing?

    1. Re:Pot, Kettle, Black by Somebody+Is+Using+My · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Arguably, Russia's involvement in the US elections was aimed at this goal, at least in part. It has long been Russia's intent to smear the "great experiement" that is the United States of America's democracy; claims that the US is as corrupt and venal as anyone else have been part and parcel of their dialog for nearly a century.

      This is not only an attempt to weaken the US but also to make Russia's own politics look better in comparison. After all, if the United States - long champion of democracy - can't ensure honest elections, it is hardly fair to expect any other nation to do so either. Putin's own political maneuverings were suspect long before 2016. While Navalny, an anti-corruption activist isn't expected to win in the 2018 Russian elections, he has gathered a sizeable following who threaten Putin's absolute power. They will be very suspicious of Putin's victory, even were it completely on the up-and-up (which, it is widely believed, will not be).

      But by casting blame on the US, Putin can misdirect the blame; if the US can't secure their own elections from foreign influence, it's no surprise if poor impoverished Russia is even more vulnerable. Thus, if Putin wins /despite/ such influence, it only further legitimizes his victory.

  2. Wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    There are russian elections? I thought it was all rigged in the first place.

    1. Re:Wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      You can vote for Putin, the dead guy, or the guy who isn't allowed to run.

    2. Re:Wait... by Freischutz · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You can vote for Putin, the dead guy, or the guy who isn't allowed to run.

      ...and the pustule riddled guy in the wheelchair who glows in the dark because he forgot to scan his food with a geiger counter.

    3. Re: Wait... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      WHAT!? We only get two choices here in America.

    4. Re: Wait... by RightwingNutjob · · Score: 5, Funny

      America is just like Russia. In America, you can stand in the middle of the National Mall, shouting 'Down with American Imperialsm!' and you won't be punished. Similarly, in Russia you can stand in the middle of Red Square shouding 'Down with American Imperialism!' and you won't be punished.

  3. Ob by Hognoxious · · Score: 4, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, kettle mocks pot!

    --
    Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  4. Huh? by msauve · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Pointing out that the Kremlin is interfering in its own election is not interference," adds schwit1.

    Of course it is. But, it's entirely aboveboard, unlike the secret (at the time) Russian interference.

    That's not to say the US isn't doing their own dirty tricks in secret, but that's not what the article is about.

    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
  5. Dear Russia by Patent+Lover · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have it on good authority that Vladimir Putin runs a pizza joint which is a front for child trafficking. Also, he was the cause for Benghazi. He wants to take your guns. He also has violated IT policy on several occasions. Please tell all your friends on Facebook or you face certain disaster.

  6. A joke by gman003 · · Score: 4, Funny

    We should hack their elections and make Hillary win.

    1. Re:A joke by CanadianMacFan · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Haven't the Russian people suffered enough?

  7. Re:bad for you... by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 5, Informative

    President Clinton interfered with Yeltsin's 1996 re-election, and of course President Obama directly funded the campaign to try to oust Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Yeah, we do interfere in other elections...

    --
    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
  8. Re:Internal affairs by Mr+D+from+63 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Newsflash: Most countries try to influence other countries, and they do it in a lot more ways that social media and fake news. This has only become 'news' because certain people feel the need to believe this past US election was somehow different. Sad bunch of morons.