Politics

 This article by David Haggithwas first published on the Great Recession Blog: 

President Obama’s UN declaration that Israeli settlements are illegal says this duck isn’t lame. It was not the finale of Obama’s closing months as president but the prologue to years ahead, pushing his legacy to where it can be carried out at the UN. Congressional leaders say Obama is already plotting further action on Israel before he leaves office, according to the Washington Free Beacon.

Today, the Department of Homeland Security and FBI released a report alleging Russian hacking.

The report itself is only five and a half pages long in large print (with another 7 pages for future security recommendations).

It’s important to note what the report does NOT say …

It does NOT allege any of the following:

In a relatively weak initial statement, president-elect Trump has rather diplomatically commented that:

"It’s time for our country to move on to bigger and better things.

 

Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation."

Under normal circumstances, the President-elect Trump and President Obama would discuss the proposed sanctions on Russia and issue a joint statement. After all, Obama doesn't have to deal with the ramifications, Trump does. But in this fucked up political environment we live in, the incoming President and the one sitting in the White House agree on virtually nothing.

The following tweet, just sent out by the traditionally outspoken Russian Embassy in the UK, hardly needs commentary.

President Obama expels 35 ???????? diplomats in Cold War deja vu. As everybody, incl ???????? people, will be glad to see the last of this hapless Adm. pic.twitter.com/mleqA16H8D

— Russian Embassy, UK (@RussianEmbassy) December 29, 2016