# Leaked report of Russian blackmail of Trump **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 10, 2017, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846 "2017-01-10T23:59:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 38
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/741 "2017-03-06T18:46:57Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > [re: “the Democrat collective”] Cite that this actually exists? If you cannot cite that this is actually a thing then maybe you should stop using the phrase so much. Unless, of course, you don’t really want to be taken seriously. Don’t you remember how every single Democrat lined up last year to vote to nominate Hillary Clinton? If I recall correctly, Hillary got 110% of the Democratic primary and caucus votes, and Bernie Sanders got -10% of them. We have been assimilated… ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/742 "2017-03-06T19:01:40Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > The assumption by the Democrat collective seems to be that Joe Lunchbox is just waiting for some six-years-to-get-a-four-year-degree Kollage grad-you-ate to properly explain Democrat Party Groupthink to them. Someone trustworthy. Which explains the delay. 😃 I wasn’t talking about “Democrat Party Groupthink,” whatever that is. Did you post in the wrong thread? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/743 "2017-03-06T20:50:11Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > Cite that this actually exists? If you cannot cite that this is actually a thing then maybe you should stop using the phrase so much. Unless, of course, you don’t really want to be taken seriously. Did you look in the dictionary. Look up the word _Democrat_ then look up the word _collective_. Add them together. It’s a group of Democrats. I’m amazed that this is proving to be so difficult for so many people. Why would it matter to me if someone on the internet named **Airbeck** takes anyone else seriously? Are you important? By that I mean, are you important to anyone other than yourself? ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/744 "2017-03-06T20:54:19Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > I wasn’t talking about “Democrat Party Groupthink,” whatever that is. Did you post in the wrong thread? I thought you were going to ask Donald Sutherland to explain things to you. On a park bench. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/745 "2017-03-06T20:54:32Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Did you look in the dictionary. Look up the word _Democrat_ then look up the word _collective_. Add them together. It’s a group of Democrats. I’m amazed that this is proving to be so difficult for so many people. > > Why would it matter to me if someone on the internet named **Airbeck** takes anyone else seriously? Are you important? By that I mean, are you important to anyone other than yourself? The question is whether you want _anyone_ to take you seriously. BTW, if you meant “a group of Democrats,” why not just say so? ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/746 "2017-03-06T20:58:15Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Did you look in the dictionary. Look up the word _Democrat_ then look up the word _collective_. Add them together. It’s a group of Democrats. I’m amazed that this is proving to be so difficult for so many people. > > Why would it matter to me if someone on the internet named **Airbeck** takes anyone else seriously? Are you important? By that I mean, are you important to anyone other than yourself? You have to be the most predictable poster on this board. I almost could have written this response for you. I’m not talking about the meanings of the two individual words, but I think you know that. If you think the dictionary is a cite to your claim that there is such a thing as the “Democrat Collective”, then you are woefully unqualified to contribute anything of value to the debate. Cite that Democrats act in a coordinated group? Cite that Democrats all have the same opinions even? Cite any way that you can prove that Democrats act in a collective way. Any way at all. Have you really forgotten the intraparty war during the primary? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/747 "2017-03-06T21:00:59Z")
Look, just because I once wrote something about “the Borg-like hive mind of Tea Party ideologues,” doesn’t mean you should read anything into it. All it means is “some people have conservative views.” ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/748 "2017-03-06T21:38:57Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > The question is whether you want _anyone_ to take you seriously. > > BTW, if you meant “a group of Democrats,” why not just say so? I think it’s because he prefers to subtly belittle and insult Americans that he disagrees with. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/749 "2017-03-06T23:29:27Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > Cite that Democrats act in a coordinated group? Cite that Democrats all have the same opinions even? Cite any way that you can prove that Democrats act in a collective way. Any way at all. Have you really forgotten the intraparty war during the primary? [QUOTE=Will Rogers] [I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat.](https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/willrogers122697.html) [/QUOTE] … ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2017, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/750 "2017-03-06T23:33:20Z")
> [@](#): > > …Look up the word _Democrat_ then look up the word _collective_… Piffle. “Collective” is an entirely cromulent term, it tends to infer a mode of thought, politically and socially, as in “Worker collective owned”. Given that you tend to not stoop to clarity when an insinuation will work as well, the gentle reader can hardly doubt your inference. As it happens, I think a worthy and intelligent argument can be made for collective decision making, empowering the group over the leader. I don’t trust leaders, I don’t trust people who want to be leaders. I have worked in collectives, there is much good to be said for them. There are, of course, certain drawbacks\*. Mostly, people. Not surprisingly, it shares a lot of the strengths and weaknesses of democratic governance itself. Imagine! \*Anecdotal aside: The restaurant collective down the street from our grocery collective was in the process of hiring a financial specialist for bookkeeping, tax compliance, payroll, you know the drill. Job description ran on for nearly a page, outlining with precision all the nitpicky and mathy responsibilities. A good friend was up for it, she was well-known and likely a shoo-in. She pulled me aside to show me, apparently vexed and confused. I read it, seeing nothing abnormal in the careful description of tedious, precise, and tiresome duties, till the last line. “Embrace anarchy”. It was a thorny problem, as well as hilarious. Fortunately, I knew exactly what to do. I took her across the street and bought her a beer. Several others of our ilk joined in, some bought pitchers. After intense dialectical struggle, we arrived at the consensus that the term had no defined meaning. Hence, however she determined to “embrace anarchy” could not be wrong, therefore, she could not fail. We ended the informal meeting with the traditional shrug, head shake, and utterance: “Fuckin’ hippies!”. She did an excellent job. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2017, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/751 "2017-03-07T21:57:49Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > BTW, if you meant “a group of Democrats,” why not just say so? (post shortened) I did say so. BTW, this isn’t rocket surgery. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/752 "2017-03-07T22:11:45Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > You have to be the most predictable poster on this board. I almost could have written this response for you. > > I’m not talking about the meanings of the two individual words, but I think you know that. If you think the dictionary is a cite to your claim that there is such a thing as the “Democrat Collective”, then you are woefully unqualified to contribute anything of value to the debate. > > Cite that Democrats act in a coordinated group? Cite that Democrats all have the same opinions even? Cite any way that you can prove that Democrats act in a collective way. Any way at all. Have you really forgotten the intraparty war during the primary? (Underline added) Whew, do you have any idea how much time you can save me? Just add _“post made up by tap-an- **Airbeck** ”_ to the end of any post you write in my name, or it’s no deal. I don’t believe that I, or anyone else, could provide a cite that Democrats act in a coordinated manner. I’ve seen their convention. (j/k) ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2017, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/753 "2017-03-07T22:20:06Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Piffle. “Collective” is an entirely cromulent term, it tends to infer a mode of thought, politically and socially, as in “Worker collective owned”. Given that you tend to not stoop to clarity when an insinuation will work as well, the gentle reader can hardly doubt your inference. (post shortened) Hahahaha. You must be a Democrat. _You don’t mean to say what you actually said, you meant to say what the Democrat collective says you said._ Little wonder ol’ Hillary lost her chance to become President. Keep up the good work. 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2017, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/754 "2017-03-08T00:29:34Z")
ThinkProgress points out that Trump met with Ambassador Kislyak in April 2016. This was at a VIP reception prior to a foreign policy speech. Kislyak was in the front row during the speech. This was reported at the time but apparently not much noticed. Seems like the meeting was fairly brief, but still a meeting with Trump, Kislyak, and “three other foreign ambassadors.” The speech was an invitation only event. [https://thinkprogress.org/trump-personally-met-with-russian-ambassador-during-campaign-cc59ae305032#.6ts3yy7wn](https://thinkprogress.org/trump-personally-met-with-russian-ambassador-during-campaign-cc59ae305032#.6ts3yy7wn) ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/755 "2017-03-22T13:16:11Z")
I’m surprised that [this story](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/manaforts-ukrainian-blood-money-caused-qualms-hack-suggests-235473) isn’t getting more press. Paul Manafort’s family’s text messages [were hacked](http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-manafort-daughter-text-messages-ukraine-2017-3) (the hacking was [confirmed](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/paul-manafort-blackmail-russia-trump-235275) by Manafort himself) with some pretty interesting quotes: \*“Dad and Trump are literally living in the same building and mom says they go up and down all day long hanging and plotting together,” Jessica Manafort wrote. “Don’t fool yourself,” Andrea Manafort wrote. “That money we have is blood money.” In another hacked exchange a few months later with someone else, Andrea Manafort wrote that her father’s “work and payment in Ukraine is legally questionable.” “You know he has killed people in Ukraine? Knowingly,” she continued, according to the reviewed texts. “As a tactic to outrage the world and get focus on Ukraine. Remember when there were all those deaths taking place. A while back. About a year ago. Revolts and what not. Do you know whose strategy that was to cause that, to send those people out and get them slaughtered.” Her sister Andrea Manafort responded by referring to their father’s relationship with Trump as “The most dangerous friendship in America,” while in another exchange she called them “a perfect pair” of “power-hungry egomaniacs,” and asserted “the only reason my dad is doing this campaign is for sport. He likes the challenge. It’s like an egomaniac’s chess game. There’s no money motivation.” \* Makes the fact that the Trump people are now making pointed attempts to [minimize Manafort’s role](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/paul-manafort-role-in-trump-campaign-236269) in the campaign a pretty sensible move. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/756 "2017-03-22T13:48:31Z")
Is Manafort going to be the [turncoat or the fall guy?](https://apnews.com/122ae0b5848345faa88108a03de40c5a/Manafort's-plan-to-'greatly-benefit-the-Putin-Government) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/757 "2017-03-22T17:07:20Z")
“Ah, Paul! Good timing, your bus will be here in a minute!” “I’m taking a bus somewhere?” “Well, not, _exactly_…” ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/758 "2017-03-22T18:51:13Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Is Manafort going to be the [turncoat or the fall guy?](https://apnews.com/122ae0b5848345faa88108a03de40c5a/Manafort's-plan-to-'greatly-benefit-the-Putin-Government) Alternatively - I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes down with a nasty case of the poloniums. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/759 "2017-03-22T19:23:55Z")
If Manafort ends up with a terminal case of the deads, that’ll be on the other side of the singularity, a place where this country has never been and cannot predict. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846/760 "2017-03-22T20:30:53Z")
We’re already there, dude. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/leaked-report-of-russian-blackmail-of-trump/776846.md?page=39)