# Why does nobody care about Russia? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 16, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203 "2016-11-16T23:48:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/1 "2016-11-16T23:48:36Z")
How is it that Russia trying to get Trump elected via espionage and then Trump changing US policy to benefit Russia isn’t a gigantic scandal that takes up 24/7 news coverage? Am I taking crazy pills? If the argument is that Trump independently made pro-Russia policy and Russia supported him for that reason, how does that explain Trump lying for Russia wrt Crimea and the hacking? ---
**Author:** ![OriginalGangster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ea5d25/32.png) [@OriginalGangster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OriginalGangster)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/2 "2016-11-16T23:50:21Z")
They’ve been trying to re-invigorate the Cold War for awhile now, seemed to be picking up steam, then Trump “won”. Massive diversionary psy-op. Next thing we know they’ll bring back the Brady Bunch. ---
**Author:** ![Evan\_Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b487fb/32.png) [@Evan\_Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evan_Drake)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/3 "2016-11-16T23:51:24Z")
Cos, just perhaps it’s all nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2016, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/4 "2016-11-16T23:55:17Z")
It’s OK If A Republican Does It. I’m quite sure that if the Republicans had a nominee for president that ran on a campaign of devil worship, animal sacrifice and murdering children, he’d get a reliable 45% of the vote. ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/5 "2016-11-17T00:00:21Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > It’s OK If A Republican Does It. > > I’m quite sure that if the Republicans had a nominee for president that ran on a campaign of devil worship, animal sacrifice and murdering children, he’d get a reliable 45% of the vote. I now believe the GOP nominee could rape 13 year old girls and force them to get abortions and still get 45% of the vote. The black humor in this is picturing how that 45% would justify those abortions while still proclaiming Right to Birth. ---
**Author:** ![up\_the\_junction](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f1d935/32.png) [@up\_the\_junction](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/up_the_junction)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/6 "2016-11-17T00:17:37Z")
What’s to care about. Russia isn’t an enemy, it’s a pronto-capitalist country going through the usual early period issues. It obv. doesn’t suit the US military but this projection of power off the coast of Syria is just painful to watch. and sure, crimera, yada yada. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/7 "2016-11-17T00:43:39Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > It’s OK If A Republican Does It. > > …\. God help Hillary Clinton if she had Vlad as a pen pal. :eek: > [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > What’s to care about. Russia isn’t an enemy, it’s a **pronto-capitalist** country going through the usual early period issues. It obv. doesn’t suit the US military but this projection of power off the coast of Syria is just painful to watch. > > and sure, crimera, yada yada. My bold. Did you mean “proto-capitalist,” or have you invented a sorely-needed new word referring to former totalitarian states that went capitalist too damn fast. ---
**Author:** ![Pashnish\_Ewing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8797f3/32.png) [@Pashnish\_Ewing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pashnish_Ewing)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/8 "2016-11-17T01:13:50Z")
I’ve stopped underestimating Trump. Maybe Putin was the ‘useful idiot’ that helped DT get elected, and will get stiffed like so many contractors when the bill comes due. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/9 "2016-11-17T01:36:58Z")
> [@Pashnish\_Ewing](#): > > I’ve stopped underestimating Trump. Maybe Putin was the ‘useful idiot’ that helped DT get elected, and will get stiffed like so many contractors when the bill comes due. Ironic you’d say that. I read an article a few weeks ago that said the Russians were having buyers remorse in October because they felt Trump was too unstable to be predicted. > **[Moscow reportedly has 'buyer's remorse' over aiding Donald Trump](https://theweek.com/speedreads/659584/moscow-reportedly-buyers-remorse-over-aiding-donald-trump)** > > The latest Feature,/features,,features, breaking news, comment, reviews and features from the experts at The Week > [@](#): > > Trump’s attacks on the parents of a slain Muslim American soldier following the father’s speech at the Democratic convention created dismay in the Kremlin. Top Russian officials came to believe Trump would be forced to withdraw from the race because of his psychological state and apparent unsuitability for the presidency, according to information obtained by the Western intelligence source. In particular, Kremlin officials feared they could not predict what impact it might have on Russia should Trump step aside … By October, “buyer’s remorse” had set in at the Kremlin, according to a report obtained by Western counterintelligence. Russia came to see Trump as too unpredictable and feared that, should he win, the Kremlin would not be able to rely on him or even anticipate his actions. So even the Russians are probably saying “oh shit, what have wee done”. Also why does Congress always have time for benghazi but not to investigate foreign nations interfering with our elections? ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/10 "2016-11-17T01:42:39Z")
> [@Evan\_Drake](#): > > Cos, just perhaps it’s all nonsense. Take it up with the various US intelligence agencies. [https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/10/07/joint-statement-department-homeland-security-and-office-director-national](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2016/10/07/joint-statement-department-homeland-security-and-office-director-national) > [@](#): > > The U.S. Intelligence Community (USIC) is confident that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of e-mails from US persons and institutions, including from US political organizations. The recent disclosures of alleged hacked e-mails on sites like [DCLeaks.com](http://DCLeaks.com) and WikiLeaks and by the Guccifer 2.0 online persona are consistent with the methods and motivations of Russian-directed efforts. These thefts and disclosures are intended to interfere with the US election process. Such activity is not new to Moscow—the Russians have used similar tactics and techniques across Europe and Eurasia, for example, to influence public opinion there. We believe, based on the scope and sensitivity of these efforts, that only Russia’s senior-most officials could have authorized these activities. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/11 "2016-11-17T01:52:13Z")
I wonder if Putin ever actually wanted Trump elected, or if he was just trying to cause chaos & discredit Western democracy and is as surprised anyone else he won. I mean either way he still accomplished his goal. And I’m sure Congress will suddenly find time to investigate this if Trump manages to royally piss off House Republicans (well more so than he already has). ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/12 "2016-11-17T02:42:10Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > What’s to care about. Russia isn’t an enemy, it’s a pronto-capitalist country going through the usual early period issues. It obv. doesn’t suit the US military but this projection of power off the coast of Syria is just painful to watch. > > and sure, crimera, yada yada. You don’t think a foreign power dictating US policy is something to be concerned about? Odd. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/13 "2016-11-17T02:49:45Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > How is it that Russia trying to get Trump elected via espionage and then Trump changing US policy to benefit Russia isn’t a gigantic scandal that takes up 24/7 news coverage? > > Am I taking crazy pills? If the argument is that Trump independently made pro-Russia policy and Russia supported him for that reason, how does that explain Trump lying for Russia wrt Crimea and the hacking? - a certain percentage of conservatives would support Al Qaida or ISIS if they helped throw the election for republicans. - Russia in 2016 isn’t what Russia meant to those of us alive in 1986. - People who voted Trump just wanted change. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/14 "2016-11-17T02:59:05Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > - a certain percentage of conservatives would support Al Qaida or ISIS if they helped throw the election for republicans. > > - Russia in 2016 isn’t what Russia meant to those of us alive in 1986. > > - People who voted Trump just wanted change. Ok, but I don’t think the fact that it was Russia is the main point. It’d still be outrageous if Trump did whatever Australia wanted. Sure, selling out our most important allies that came to our aid after 9/11 to an expansionist country that just invaded its neighbor is slightly worse, but it’s a matter of the sovereignty of the US. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/15 "2016-11-17T02:59:11Z")
Russia has the kind of capitalists that the communists warned about. The Republicans believe that Reagan won the cold war and tore down the Berlin Wall with his own two hands. So the Russians couldn’t possibly be antagonists now. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/16 "2016-11-17T03:13:47Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > You don’t think a foreign power dictating US policy is something to be concerned about? Odd. You are aware, right, that the US has interfered in a _sh_t ton\* of countries’ elections in the past, right? Including helping Yeltsin win a (widely alleged to be fraudulent) election _in Russia itself_ back when Hillary Clinton’s execrable husband was running the show. Of all the countries in the world that shouldn’t be complaining about that, the US is at the top of the list. ---
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/17 "2016-11-17T03:16:46Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Ironic you’d say that. I read an article a few weeks ago that said the Russians were having buyers remorse in October because they felt Trump was too unstable to be predicted. > > [Moscow reportedly has 'buyer's remorse' over aiding Donald Trump | The Week](http://theweek.com/speedreads/659584/moscow-reportedly-buyers-remorse-over-aiding-donald-trump) > So even the Russians are probably saying “oh shit, what have wee done”. > > Also why does Congress always have time for benghazi but not to investigate foreign nations interfering with our elections? Alexander Lukashenko (who’s not Russian, but who is a generally fairly reliable Russian ally and probably the most anti-western leader in Europe) said shortly after the election that although he had endorsed Trump, he wouldn’t be a reliable ally for Russia or for anyone else. He’s right: Trump has made a career out of lying to his wives, creditors, customers, and now voters, so you can’t exactly count on him to keep any promises to Russia. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/18 "2016-11-17T03:20:29Z")
> [@Hector\_St\_Clare](#): > > You are aware, right, that the US has interfered in a _sh_t ton\* of countries’ elections in the past, right? Including helping Yeltsin win a (widely alleged to be fraudulent) election _in Russia itself_ back when Hillary Clinton’s execrable husband was running the show. > > Of all the countries in the world that shouldn’t be complaining about that, the US is at the top of the list. This argument makes zero sense. Just because I did something to you doesn’t mean I want you to do something back. If I’m a thief, I want to keep the things I stole, I’m going to protect them. I’m not going to invite people to come take them from me. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/19 "2016-11-17T04:16:49Z")
> [@Hector\_St\_Clare](#): > > You are aware, right, that the US has interfered in a _sh_t ton\* of countries’ elections in the past, right? Including helping Yeltsin win a (widely alleged to be fraudulent) election _in Russia itself_ back when Hillary Clinton’s execrable husband was running the show. > > Of all the countries in the world that shouldn’t be complaining about that, the US is at the top of the list. So, I guess your reaction to 9/11 was, “Big deal. The US blows up other people’s buildings all the time.” Right? ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203/20 "2016-11-17T16:07:54Z")
Foreign countries try to influence elections all the time. When Obama got the Nobel peace prize it was specifically trying to influence US elections and policy. The UK government owns the BBC which has a channel called BBC America which has news shows on it and the information on those news shows may convince voters to support certain candidates. Isn’t that a foreign country influencing our elections. What Russia did was no big deal because, they just gave people more information. Since more information is good for a democracy, what they did was good for us. Also since Trumps favorable opinion of Putin was not a secret everyone who voted for Trump could have known about it. The voters get to choose which candidate they like best based on different policy options. The voters decided that Trump’s opinion on Putin was good so in a democracy the voters should get the policies they vote for. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-does-nobody-care-about-russia/772203.md?page=2)