(THREAD) "What about #Hillary-#Ukraine?" is a lame excuse. But comparing to #TrumpRussia & #DonaldTrumpJr raises interesting questions.
1/xpic.twitter.com/4OucOwcw7K
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Given America's position in the world, other countries care about US elections. Statements, op-eds, etc. are normal.
#TrumpRussia
3/x
#Putin called #Trump smart and Ukrainian Ambassador Valeriy Chaly wrote an op-ed criticizing Trump. Nothing wrong with that
#TrumpRussia
4/x
But stealing emails and selectively releasing some of them, hacking voter databases and stealing info, and targeted propaganda ≠ fine. 5/x
No question Russian interference much more extensive than Ukrainian. The question is about #TrumpRussia and #Hillary-#Ukraine #collusion
6/x
Alexandra Chalupa worked for DNC. Researched #PaulManafort and got some help from the Ukrainian government.
#TrumpRussiaCollusion
7/x
But no top #Clinton people worked with Ukraine. #DonaldTrumpJr, #JaredKushner, and #PaulManafort = top people, and all directly involved
8/x
We now have evidence that #DonaldTrumpJr sought #TrumpRussiaCollusion, but no equivalent from #Clinton people.
https://arcdigital.media/thanks-to-donald-trump-jr-im-no-longer-a-trump-russia-skeptic-a34443eaba8b …
9/x
Russia's an adversary. Ukraine, if not a formal ally, is a partner. But we don't want friends interfering in our elections either. 10/x
#Putin directed the effort. #Ukraine's independent prosecutor investigated #PaulManafort for helping Ukraine's former pro-Russia pres.
11/x
Ukraine's #PaulManafort investigation was published.
#DonaldTrumpJr tried to gather dirt in a secret meeting.
12/xpic.twitter.com/C9J7GsneCH
But (at least as far as we know now), #DonaldTrumpJr's meeting didn't result in info handed over. Ukrainian embassy gave Chalupa tips.
13/x
#PaulManafort got pushed out. But that could have been from public info.
#TrumpRussiaCollusion might have tipped the election (maybe).
14/x
#TrumpRussiaCollusion looks more extensive, involving higher up officials. But did #HillaryUkraine #collusion cross the line?
15/x
#Whataboutism says two wrongs make a right.
But if #HillaryUkraine #collusion was wrong, it doesn't make #TrumpRussiaCollusion right.
16/x
I'm amazed anyone falls for "What about #Hillary?" (or #Obama, #LorettaLynch, etc.)
But so many buy it.
#Whataboutism
17/x
Still, #TrumpRussia being worse than #Hillary-Ukraine #collusion doesn't mean the latter is right.
18/x
We need to figure out where to draw the line between #collusion & normal campaign interactions with foreigners. This isn't going away.
(END)
This really is a critical, fascinating question. I wish I had an answer, but am looking forward to reading meaningful responses.
I don't have a good answer either. I raised the question here to kick around some ideas and see what other people think.
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