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Anti-Trump Campaign Claims First Victim |
From
Stephen Lendman |
| Late Monday evening, National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was sacked
- ostensibly for discussing US sanctions on Russia with its US ambassador
Sergey Kislyak before Trump’s inauguration, then providing Vice President
Pence with “incomplete information” about their conversation. Flynn was a scoundrel media target like various other administration officials. Last month, he denied discussing sanctions with Russia’s ambassador. Acting Attorney General/Obama administration holdover Sally Yates taped his conversation, information then leaked to the media, indicating sanctions were discussed. Trump fired her for failing to enforce his immigration order. The 1799 Logan Act, amended in 1994, prohibits unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments - considered an attempt to influence bilateral relations. The act remained unused since passage. No felony action against Flynn is likely. Because the measure’s language is so broad, legal experts suggest it’s unconstitutional. Historically it’s been used more as a threat than justification for prosecution. Alleged Logan Act violations occurred in nearly all US administrations. No prosecutions or convictions followed, just one indictment in 1803, involving a Kentucky newspaper article, arguing for forming a separate nation in western America allied to France. No prosecution followed. In his resignation letter, Flynn said his omission was unintentional, stating: “In the course of my duties as the incoming National Security Advisor, I held numerous phone calls with foreign counterparts, ministers, and ambassadors.” “These calls were to facilitate a smooth transition and begin to build the necessary relationships between the President, his advisors and foreign leaders. Such calls are standard practice in any transition of this magnitude.” “Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador. I have sincerely apologized to the President and the Vice President, and they have accepted my apology.” Flynn was targeted for not being anti-Russia. He believed both countries should work together cooperatively to resolve issues of mutual interest, especially in combating terrorism. He called the emergence of ISIS and al-Nusra the result of calculated policy decisions, not happenstance. He criticized Obama officials for bashing Russian anti-terrorist operations in Syria. Media scoundrels disgracefully portrayed him as a Russian agent. He participated in an RT conference on the occasion of its first ten years of international broadcasting, meeting Vladimir Putin at the time. Hostile Democrats want nonexistent Trump ties to Russia and Putin investigated. Is America’s intelligence community spying on its president, part of a longstanding campaign to delegitimize him, now wanting him undermined, perhaps ahead of wanting him impeached and removed from office - a very disturbing state of affairs. The Saker calls what’s going on an anti-Trump “color revolution.” I’ve called it an attempted coup d’etat to delegitimize and undermine him. Forcing Flynn out over a telephone conversation doing no harm suggests Trump’s betrayal, according to The Saker, “an act of abject cowardice,” instead of supporting his national security point man and going after Flynn’s accusers. Has Trump surrendered to America’s neocon infested deep state? Will he abandon efforts to improve relations with Russia? Will he maintain hostility toward China, Iran, Venezuela and other independent states? Will he continue supporting terrorism instead of combating it? Is America’s imperial agenda safe in his hands? Will he still be targeted for removal anyway? Like GW Bush and Obama, Pence is a pushover, an ideal frontman for dark interests running America, assuring disturbing continuity. Possible Trump administration change, under the best of circumstances, benefitting ordinary Americans was always wishful thinking. It now appears dashed on the rocks of Flynn’s ouster. Dirty business as usual won. Millions of long-abused Americans lost. Note: Trump named retired army general Joseph Kellogg, Jr. as acting national security advisor. Reports indicate Admiral Robert Harwood will likely replace him. Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network. |