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The Ecstatic
Chilldog Extraordinaire


Registered: 11/11/09
Posts: 34,046
Loc: 'Merica
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Let’s talk about Election Interference
#28012377 - 10/23/22 11:48 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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What constitutes election interference and what doesn’t?
Where should we draw the line?
In an increasingly interconnected global system of politics and economics, what can or should be done about state actors (or ancillary groups) deliberately manipulating the makeup of a different nation’s political structure?
I think it was easy for folks to condemn Russia’s tactics in 2016 because we see Russia as the bad guy (and see trump as the bad guy). But what about the recent case of Saudi Arabia slowing down oil production for the explicit purpose of sinking Democrats ahead of the 2022 midterm elections? Where do economic sanctions fall on this scale of interference?
Curious to get some opinions from you fine folks before I add my own.
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Kryptos
Stranger

Registered: 11/01/14
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Re: Let’s talk about Election Interference [Re: The Ecstatic]
#28013859 - 10/24/22 10:39 AM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Voting is election interference, because it injects random idiot's opinions into the accumulation of righteous power by good, godly men like Trump.
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Enlil
OTD God-King




Registered: 08/16/03
Posts: 67,514
Loc: Uncanny Valley
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Re: Let’s talk about Election Interference [Re: Kryptos]
#28013997 - 10/24/22 12:29 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Since you used the word "explicit," I assume you have some kind of source that states that this was the reason they cut production?
Setting that aside for the moment, I think there is a difference between interference and taking steps that may affect the outcome of an election. Stealing from the tort doctrine of "intentional interference with contractual relations," I would argue that the conduct needs to be independently "wrongful."
For instance. Hacking a server is independently wrongful. Publishing stolen materials is independently wrongful. Cutting production of oil isn't.
Whether that test is sufficient or clear enough is another question, of course, but this is the first time I've considered this issue, so my off-the-cuff suggestion is far from a fully-formed opinion on the subject.
-------------------- Censoring opposing views since 2014. Ask an Attorney Fuck the Amish
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The Ecstatic
Chilldog Extraordinaire


Registered: 11/11/09
Posts: 34,046
Loc: 'Merica
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Re: Let’s talk about Election Interference [Re: Enlil] 1
#28014078 - 10/24/22 01:09 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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Maybe explicit was the wrong word, but the ensuing war of words between the Biden administration (and associated media apparatchiks) and the KSA sure seems like both sides are taking it personally.
I agree with the assessment that the Saudis cutting oil production, even IF they’re doing so simply to hurt Democrats, can’t possibly be defined as interference, because then we’re a skip and a jump from “Venezuela not giving us their oil threatens our democracy.” The Saudis are free the cut oil production just as we are free to cut weapons sales to them, or work out a more robust Iran Deal. When the White House calls it a hostile act for KSA to alter how their own economy functions, it’s saying the quiet part out loud. I’ve got no love for Saudi Arabia, but for such a close ally to be met with such condemnation makes you wonder how this idea that economic decisions that don’t benefit the US government are hostile acts will be weaponized in the future. It also begs the question: if KSA cutting oil production constitutes a hostile act (because it undermines the power structure in DC), what do we call the Cuba embargo? The sanctions on Iran or Venezuela or North Korea?
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SirTripAlot
Semper Fidelis



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Re: Let’s talk about Election Interference [Re: The Ecstatic]
#28014082 - 10/24/22 01:11 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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I remember Gore and the tagline "no controlling legal authority" when it came to contributions from a Buddhist temple and him making phone calls to solicit funds while in the White House, against the Pendleton Act.
From what I have read, most candidates, or those seeking reelection get off for not "knowingly" breaking these laws. They have plenty of fall guys that take the wrap if caught...."I had no idea they did that", that type of stuff. It seems like it's extremely hard to prove with this deny/lie strategy.
-------------------- “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
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336
menehune


Registered: 09/01/22
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Re: Let’s talk about Election Interference [Re: The Ecstatic]
#28014275 - 10/24/22 03:28 PM (1 year, 6 months ago) |
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You guys still think real elections exist? Who knows if they ever did.
-------------------- "Love is seeing the unity under the imaginary diversity."
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